Third Edition of Coastal Defense Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ from Today

Bhubaneswar: The third edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise Sea Vigil-22 will commence from today.

The exercise will be undertaken along the entire 7516-kilometer coastline and the Exclusive Economic Zone of India. It will involve all the Coastal States and Union territories.

Defense Ministry said this exercise was conceptualized in 2018 to validate various measures that have been instituted towards enhancing maritime security since the 26/11 terror attack.

The two-day exercise is being conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and other ministries entrusted with the task of maritime activities.

The exercise is a build-up towards the major Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which the Indian Navy conducts every two years. Sea Vigil and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum Maritime Security challenges.

Assets of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs, and other maritime agencies will participate in Ex Sea Vigil. In addition to the Ministry of Defence, the conduct of this exercise is also being facilitated by the Ministries of Home Affairs, Ports Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Customs, and other agencies of Centre/ State.

While smaller-scale exercises are conducted in the Coastal States regularly, including combined exercises amongst adjoining states, the conduct of exercise Sea Vigil at the national level is aimed to serve a larger purpose. It provides the opportunity, at the apex level, to assess our preparedness in the domain of Maritime Security and Coastal Defence. Exercise Sea Vigil-22 will provide a realistic assessment of our strengths and weaknesses and thus will help in further strengthening Maritime and National Security.