Font size:
Print
Sea Vigil-24
Context:
The Indian Navy is gearing up to conduct the fourth edition of the pan-India coastal defence exercise, ‘Sea Vigil-24’, on November 20 and 21, 2024.
Overview of Sea Vigil-24 Exercise:
- This comprehensive exercise aims to test the readiness of India’s coastal security infrastructure and involves the participation of six ministries and 21 organisations and agencies.
- Objective: The exercise will focus on coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings (SPMs), Cable Landing Points, and critical infrastructure.
- Geographical Reach: Covers the entire 11,098 km coastline of India and the 2.4 million square kilometres of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- It will engage all maritime stakeholders, including civilian bodies, to assess the readiness of coastal security systems.
Key Features:
- Stakeholder Involvement: For the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join the Indian Navy-led Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) teams.
- Other participants include personnel from the state marine police, Indian Coast Guard, customs, fisheries, and more.
- Community Engagement: The involvement of local fishing communities, students from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Bharat Scouts and Guides is a key feature of the exercise.
- Enhanced Participation: This year, the Indian Army and Air Force will also participate, with a large number of ships and aircraft being deployed to enhance the exercise’s scope and operational tempo.
- Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE): The CDSRE phase started in October 2024, with Naval Officer-in-Charges overseeing coastal audits across all coastal states, including Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Strategic Importance:
- Post-26/11 Security Framework: Originally conceptualised in 2018 after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to strengthen coastal defence measures.
- Holistic Evaluation: The exercise will provide a comprehensive appraisal of India’s maritime security capabilities, assessing strengths, weaknesses, and readiness of various agencies involved in coastal defence.
Significance:
- Strengthening Maritime Defence: It will assess and enhance the nation’s preparedness for safeguarding its vast maritime boundaries.
- Integrated Security: The exercise fosters coordinated efforts between defence forces, security agencies, and coastal communities to address emerging maritime threats.
- Building Awareness and Readiness: Sea Vigil aims to not only assess security systems but also raise the general awareness of coastal populations regarding security measures.
