Indian Navy Conducts Largest Coastal Defence Exercise, ‘Sea Vigil-24’

The Indian Navy will conduct the fourth edition of its nationwide coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil-24, on November 20 and 21. This year’s exercise will be the largest to date, covering India’s extensive coastline and involving six government ministries and 21 organizations, showcasing an unprecedented level of participation.

Overview

• Event: Sea Vigil-24, the fourth edition of India’s largest coastal defence exercise.
• Dates: November 20-21, 2024.
• Scope: The exercise will cover India’s entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Participants: Involves six government ministries, 21 organizations, and multiple defense agencies.

Objective

• Enhance India’s coastal security capabilities.
• Ensure readiness to protect vital coastal infrastructure and prevent maritime threats.

Key Highlights

CDSRE Phase

• Preparation for the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase began in late October, with audits of coastal defense infrastructure.
• Includes audits across all coastal states, Union Territories, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

National Security Council Secretariat

• This is the first time officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join the CDSRE phase.

Key Participating Agencies

• State Marine Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, and other essential agencies will participate alongside military forces.
• Indian Army and Indian Air Force will provide significant support, deploying numerous ships and aircraft to enhance the exercise.

Focus Areas

Coastal Security

The exercise will focus on safeguarding critical coastal assets such as,

• Ports
• Oil rigs
• Single Point Moorings
• Cable Landing Points
• Other key infrastructure

Testing Framework

• Sea Vigil-24 aims to test and strengthen India’s coastal security framework, ensuring preparedness to defend against maritime threats.

Involvement of Local Communities and Stakeholders

• Local Participation: Local fishing communities, residents, and maritime stakeholders will be engaged in the exercise.
• Educational Participation: NCC (National Cadet Corps) and Bharat Scouts and Guides students will participate to raise awareness about coastal security.

Coastline and EEZ Coverage

• Total Coastline: 11,098 km coastline
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Spanning 2.4 million square kilometers.

Significance

• This edition will involve the highest-ever level of collaboration and participation across multiple defense, security, and governmental agencies.