India Gears Up for Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise with Troops from Army, Navy, and Air Force

New Delhi, India - Indian Navy is preparing for fourth edition of its prestigious coastal defence exercise, Ex Sea Vigil-24, which is set to take place on November 20 and 21, 2024. This Pan-India exercise is being conducted with an unprecedented scale and participation, showcasing India's commitment to strengning its coastal security and defence infrastructure. exercise will cover entire Indian coastline and its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), involving numerous agencies and organisations in a coordinated effort to safeguard India’s maritime boundaries.

Ex Sea Vigil-24 will be largest edition of exercise, marking significant vancements in both its geographical reach and scale of participation. For first time, six key ministries and 21 different organisations/agencies will be involved in exercise, making it a truly national-level initiative. se include Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, State Marine Police, and or maritime security agencies, alongside personnel from National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). inclusion of NSCS officials in Coastal Defence & Security Reiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase of exercise, being conducted by Naval Officer-in-Charge of all coastal states and Union Territories (UTs) since October 2024, marks a critical step towards comprehensive national security integration.  

Focus on Coastal Infrastructure and Security  

exercise is designed to evaluate and enhance security reiness of India’s critical coastal assets. It will focus on securing vital maritime infrastructure such as ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, cable landing points, and or key facilities essential to India’s economic and strategic interests. ditionally, exercise will place a significant emphasis on protection of coastal population and communities living in proximity to sea, ensuring ir safety and security amidst evolving maritime threats.

This year, participation of or services, including Indian Army and Indian Air Force, coupled with deployment of a large number of ships and aircraft, will furr elevate tempo of exercise. coordinated efforts of all three services will test India’s ability to defend its vast coastline and respond effectively to any emerging threats.  

Coastal Defence & Security Reiness Evaluation  

ongoing CDSRE phase, which began at end of October 2024, involves a detailed audit of entire coastal defence infrastructure. This phase has been spearheed by Naval Officer-in-Charge of all coastal states and UTs, including Lakshweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, to assess reiness of India’s coastal security apparatus. Personnel from various agencies, including Coast Guard, Customs, and State Marine Police, have been working alongside Indian Navy officials to ensure that all coastal defences are in optimal operational condition. inclusion of National Security Council Secretariat officials in teams for first time highlights increasing importance of a unified national approach to maritime security.

A significant aspect of Ex Sea Vigil-24 is its aim to engage and raise awareness among India’s coastal communities about importance of maritime security. exercise will actively involve fishing community, coastal populations, and students from National Cet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts and Guides. This community involvement is intended to foster greater understanding and cooperation between military and civilian stakeholders in safeguarding India’s maritime borders. By engaging se communities, exercise will also encourage vigilance and participation in larger security framework, which is essential in today’s complex security environment.  

A Holistic Appraisal of Maritime Security  

While coastal security exercises are regularly conducted by individual coastal states and maritime agencies, Ex Sea Vigil stands out as a national-level, integrated initiative led by Indian Navy. This exercise provides a comprehensive and holistic appraisal of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities, offering a rare opportunity to assess preparedness of all maritime security agencies in real time. It also serves as a platform to identify gaps, strengths, and areas of improvement in India’s coastal defence structure.

exercise acts as a precursor to atre Level Reiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which is conducted biennially by Indian Navy. By evaluating reiness of India’s maritime forces, Ex Sea Vigil-24 ensures that nation is better prepared to dress evolving challenges in maritime domain, from conventional threats to emerging risks in form of terrorism, piracy, and natural disasters.  

Ex Sea Vigil-24 not only serves as a crucial tool for improving India’s coastal defence reiness but also reinforces nation's commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders. Through coordinated efforts among various ministries, agencies, and military, exercise ensures that India is well-prepared to respond to any maritime security challenges that may arise. results of Ex Sea Vigil-24 will provide invaluable insights into operational capabilities of India’s maritime security framework, ensuring a safer, more secure coastline and a stronger, more resilient nation.