Today, November 15, 2022, the Indian Navy launched the greatest national Coastal Defense Exercise, Sea Vigil-22.
The “Pan-India” Coastal Defence Exercise “Sea Vigil-22,” which will take place over two days, is in its third iteration. Sea Vigil’s second iteration took place in January 2021.
In order to validate the many steps taken since “26/11” to improve marine security, a national level coastal defence exercise was conceptualised in 2018.
The idea behind “Sea Vigil” is to activate the coastal security apparatus throughout India and evaluate the overall coastal defence mechanism. Coastal security is a significant part of the coastal defence construct.
The exercise is being undertaken along the entire 7516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India. It involves all the coastal states and union territories along with other maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
The Indian Navy is coordinating the exercise with the Coast Guard and other departments tasked with overseeing marine operations.
The exercise’s scope and conceptual breadth are unique in terms of its geographic reach, the number of parties involved, the units taking part, and the goals it must achieve. The training exercise serves as a lead-up to the significant Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which is held by the Indian Navy every two years.
Together, TROPEX and Sea Vigil will cover the whole range of maritime security concerns. Ex Sea Vigil will feature resources from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs, and other maritime organisations.
The exercise is being coordinated by the ministries of home affairs, shipping and waterways, petroleum and natural gas, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, customs, as well as other agencies involved with the federal and state governments. The ministry of defence is not the only facilitator in this exercise.
The national exercise Sea Vigil has a more significant aim, even though smaller-scale drills, such as joint drills with neighbouring states, are frequently undertaken in coastal states. It offers a chance to evaluate readiness at the highest level in the areas of maritime security and coastal defence.
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 strives to boost national and maritime security by giving a realistic assessment of our strengths and shortcomings.
