New Delhi: The Indian Navy is coordinating Sea Vigil – 2026, a nationwide coastal defence exercise from November 11 to 19 covering India’s entire coastline and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The fifth edition will assess how central and state agencies respond to maritime security challenges.
The exercise has two phases, the defence ministry said in a Wednesday announcement. The coastal defence and security readiness evaluation (CDSRE) runs from November 11 to 17, followed by the sea phase on November 18 and 19.
The first phase focuses on preparedness and coordination across the coastal security network. The ministry has not disclosed specific scenarios, ship deployments or personnel numbers for the subsequent activities at sea.
Strengthening coastal security after 26/11
Sea Vigil was conceptualized in 2018 following the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks, in which terrorists entered the city by sea. First held in 2019, it is designed to test the measures introduced to address gaps in India’s maritime security arrangements.
Previous editions have assessed ports, offshore facilities and other vulnerable coastal infrastructure. During Sea Vigil – 2024, teams audited more than 950 locations, including fishing landing centres, lighthouses, coastal police stations and offshore installations, according to the defence ministry.
Assets from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime agencies are participating. The coastal states and union territories are involved, bringing local authorities into an exercise that extends beyond routine naval training.
Five central ministries are facilitating the exercise: defence; home affairs; ports, shipping and waterways; petroleum and natural gas; and fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying. Their involvement reflects the importance of ports, offshore energy assets and fishing activity to coastal security.
Fishing and coastal communities are also included as stakeholders rather than security personnel. Their knowledge of local waters and ability to report unusual activity can help agencies improve information-sharing and maritime awareness.
Sea Vigil builds towards Tropex
Sea Vigil – 2026 also serves as a build-up to the Navy’s biennial theatre level readiness operational exercise (Tropex). The two are separate exercises: Sea Vigil examines coastal defence arrangements, while Tropex tests operational readiness across a wider maritime theatre, extending to the high seas.
The combined approach seeks to identify gaps in surveillance, coordination and response mechanisms across India’s maritime security network. The defence ministry said Sea Vigil – 2026 would provide an opportunity to assess coastal defence and maritime preparedness at the highest institutional level, with the findings helping strengthen the country’s maritime and national security arrangements.