The Indian Navy has launched the fifth edition of Exercise Sea Vigil-26, a nationwide maritime security exercise designed to assess India’s coastal defence preparedness. Conducted from November 11 to 19, 2026, the exercise brings together several security organisations, government departments and coastal stakeholders to strengthen protection along the country’s maritime borders.
Covering India’s entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Sea Vigil-26 provides an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of existing coastal security arrangements and improve coordination among agencies responsible for maritime protection.
The exercise is being conducted in two phases. The first phase, running from November 11 to 17, focuses on the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE). It involves assessing security infrastructure, surveillance arrangements and coordination between different agencies. The second phase, scheduled for November 18 and 19, will focus on operational activities at sea.
The Indian Navy is coordinating the exercise with participation from the Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime organisations. Various central ministries, state governments and Union Territory administrations are also supporting the initiative.
A significant element of Sea Vigil-26 is the involvement of fishing communities and people living in coastal areas. Their awareness and cooperation are important for identifying unusual maritime activities and sharing information with security agencies. This community-based approach adds another layer to India’s coastal surveillance network.
The exercise was first conceptualised in 2018 following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s coastal security system. Since its introduction, Sea Vigil has become an important platform for reviewing improvements in maritime security and testing cooperation between agencies operating along the coastline.
Sea Vigil-26 also forms part of India’s wider maritime preparedness efforts and serves as a precursor to the biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX). While Sea Vigil concentrates on coastal defence, TROPEX evaluates the Indian Navy’s broader operational readiness.
Through this nationwide exercise, India aims to identify security gaps, improve information sharing and strengthen the response capabilities of maritime agencies. The initiative highlights the importance of a coordinated coastal security network in protecting India’s coastline, ports and wider maritime interests against emerging threats.
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