The fourth edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise, Sea Vigil 24, concluded on November 21, 2024, with a resounding success, reinforcing India’s commitment to maritime security and coastal defence. Spanning 36 hours, the exercise covered the entire 11,098 km coastline and India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.4 million square kilometers, with participation from over 21 agencies across six ministries.
Participating agencies included the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, State Marine Police, Customs, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Port Authorities, and the Fisheries Department. The exercise saw more than 550 surface assets deployed, alongside 60 air sorties and a flying time of about 200 hours, covering the country’s expansive maritime territory.
The Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase, which began seven days before the tactical phase, audited over 950 critical coastal locations, including fishing landing centres, lighthouses, major and non-major ports, coastal police stations, and offshore assets. This year’s exercise was notable for the involvement of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), which participated in the evaluation activities in Gujarat and West Bengal.
A major objective of Sea Vigil 24 was enhancing the security of vital maritime assets, such as oil rigs, single point moorings (SPMs), cable landing stations, non-major ports, and nuclear installations along the coast. The Indian Air Force deployed air defence systems on offshore platforms and oil rigs to ensure their protection. The exercise also simulated various maritime security scenarios, including hijacking incidents and the re-routing of Indian merchant vessels. The safety of merchant ships, in particular, received special attention, with extensive naval cooperation and guidance.
In an important development, the exercise involved active participation from fishing communities across India. Local fishermen worked closely with maritime security forces, reinforcing the collaborative approach to coastal security.
Beyond the tactical drills, Sea Vigil 24 included an expanded community outreach program to raise awareness of maritime security, particularly among youth. NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and students from coastal areas were engaged in activities to instill a security-conscious mindset and bolster grassroots support for coastal defence initiatives.
A key component of Sea Vigil 24 was the focus on improving inter-agency coordination, a critical element of India’s coastal defence architecture. The exercise highlighted the seamless collaboration between the participating agencies, ensuring a unified response to evolving maritime threats. The exercise also identified gaps in the coastal security infrastructure, providing valuable insights for strengthening the nation’s maritime defence framework.
Since its inception in 2018, Sea Vigil has been instrumental in simulating real-time security scenarios, helping to refine India’s coastal defence strategies. The lessons learned from each edition of the exercise are integral to strengthening the nation’s resilience against maritime security challenges.
The successful conclusion of Sea Vigil 24 reaffirms India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders. With enhanced preparedness, inter-agency collaboration, and community involvement, Sea Vigil 24 marks a significant step toward fortifying India’s coastal defence posture and ensuring maritime security in the face of emerging global threats.
