Indian Navy’s Two Day-Long Largest Ever Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ To Begin 22 January

The Indian Navy, in close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard and all coastal security stakeholders will conduct a first-of-its-kind and largest ever coastal defence exercise codenamed ‘Sea Vigil 2019’ on 22 and 23 January 2019 along the coastline of the country.

It will be held along the entire 7,516.6 km-long Indian coastline as well as exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of India and will involve 13 coastal states and union territories, Deccan Herald has reported.

“Indian Navy will coordinate the largest Coastal Defence Exercise off the Indian coast on 22-23 Jan 19, *Exercise Sea Vigil*. First of its kind, the exercise will be undertaken along the entire 7516.6 kms of coastline and EEZ of India and will involve all 13 coastal states and UT along with maritime stakeholders including fishing and coastal communities,” stated a release issued by Defence Ministry.

The statement also emphasised the measures taken by the Navy to secure the coastal areas of the country in wake of the terror attack in Mumbai that happened 10 years ago on 26 November 2008.

“The scale of the exercise is unprecedented and its a build up towards the major theater level tri-service exercise TROPEX conducted by the Navy. Sea Vigil and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum of maritime security including transition from peace to conflict,” said the statement.

The exercise is being facilitated by the Ministry of Defence, Home Affairs, Shipping, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries, Customs, state governments and other agencies of centre and states.

“Exercise SEA VIGIL aims to comprehensively and holistically validate the efficacy of measures taken since 26/11. Seaward monitoring during exercise will entail patrolling off coast in Offshore Development Areas and off our islands by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard supported by State Marine Police. Seaward and shore-based monitoring will be carried out by respective agencies concerned,” added the statement.