Exercise Sea Vigil-22 is a multi-agency coastal defence exercise that is one of the major build-ups to the upcoming Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX). The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen inter-agency coordination and to provide a realistic assessment of India’s maritime security posture.
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 is a major build-up to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX)
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 is the third major maritime exercise of India, which will cover the entire 7,516 km coastline and the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. It will involve a wide range of maritime agencies and the Indian Navy.
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 is the largest Coastal Defence exercise to date. It will last for 36 hours and involve the entire Coastal Security apparatus of India. It will be conducted along the coasts of all nine Coastal States and four Union Territories.
The Pan-India Coastal Defence exercise, Sea Vigil-22, was conceptualised in 2018 as a way to strengthen India’s coastal defence capability. The exercise will involve all Coastal States and the Indian Coast Guard, as well as fishing communities and the fishing industry. The Indian Navy is organising the exercise in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard and other maritime ministries.
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 is unprecedented in its geographical scope and conceptual scope. It covers the full range of maritime security challenges and the transition from peacetime to war. It will involve participation from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Customs. The Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Shipping and Waterways will be facilitating the exercise.
The exercise is a build-up to the upcoming Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) in the Pacific. It will include the largest joint military exercise of the year.
It is a multi-agency coastal defence exercise
The upcoming coastal defence exercise will involve the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs, and the Petroleum Ministry. It will evaluate the effectiveness of coastal security organizations and the coordination between them. This drill will also test best practices and standard operating procedures. It will be divided into two phases. The first phase will involve the audit of existing infrastructure.
The exercise is not a one-off event, but a national one. Although smaller-scale exercises are conducted regularly in coastal states and with neighbouring states, the national exercise serves a larger purpose. The objective is to assess the preparedness of coastal defence and maritime security for a variety of threats. It is a realistic evaluation of strengths and weaknesses, helping to strengthen maritime and national security.
The exercise will be held from November 15 to 16, 2022. The Goa Naval Area will conduct it. The exercise will involve various agencies involved in maritime security, including the Coast Guard. The goal is to ensure that the defence of Goa is strong enough to meet the demands of a maritime attack.
Exercise SEA VIGIL will be the largest pan-India coastal defence exercise and will include the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, and Coastal Police. Additionally, the State Intelligence Department, the Maharashtra Maritime Board, and other maritime stakeholders will participate. The Indian Navy and the other agencies will monitor the coast for any threats.
The exercise will involve all maritime stakeholders in India’s seven-five hundred and sixteen-mile coastline, including the exclusive economic zone. The exercise will also involve fisheries and other communities that depend on the sea. The goal of the exercise is to test the effectiveness of the country’s maritime security measures, which have improved significantly since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
It provides a realistic assessment of India’s strengths and weaknesses
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 is being conducted by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to ensure that they are prepared to meet a crisis on the sea. The exercise is also being conducted in close coordination with other Indian ministries and agencies. In addition to the national exercise, smaller scale drills are conducted in the coastal states and combined drills between neighbouring states. However, the national exercise is of greater importance, as it assesses the preparedness of the Indian armed forces in the maritime and coastal defence domains. In this way, the exercise helps strengthen the national security of the country.
The exercise is part of an all-India Coastal Defence exercise, which was conceptualised following the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008. It is being conducted along India’s 7,516-km coastline, including the Exclusive Economic Zone. It will involve the Indian Coast Guard, fishing communities and other maritime stakeholders.
This exercise is an unprecedented and comprehensive assessment of India’s maritime security capabilities. It will involve all maritime stakeholders in India, including coastal states and union territories. This includes fishing communities and maritime ministries. While smaller scale maritime exercises are conducted regularly throughout coastal states, this particular exercise aims to provide a realistic assessment of the Indian Navy’s strengths and weaknesses in the maritime domain.
This national-level coastal defence exercise provides a realistic assessment of India’s maritime and national security. In addition to demonstrating how well the Indian Navy and Coast Guard can protect the coast, it also validates various maritime security measures. The exercise will also include participation of fishing communities, which will help strengthen the maritime security of the country.
Ex Sea Vigil is part of the Indian Navy’s TROPEX (Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise) conducted every two years. The exercise covers the entire spectrum of maritime security challenges. The navy’s capabilities will be tested in response to terrorist attacks, piracy, and aircraft carrier operations.
It strengthens inter-agency coordination
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 has been conducted to test the maritime security capabilities of the United States and its maritime agencies. It is the culmination of a series of smaller exercises that are conducted biannually in coastal states and combined exercises between adjoining states. The goal of the exercise is to evaluate coastal security preparedness, strengths, and weaknesses, and to develop strategies to strengthen maritime and national security.
The exercise is a large-scale exercise that will involve maritime security agencies from all across the country. It will be held along the entire 7,516-km coastline, including the exclusive economic zone. The Navy, Coast Guard, Customs, and other maritime agencies will be involved in the exercise.
The drill also aims to validate the efficacy of coastal defence organisations. The agencies involved will deploy their assets to protect against sea attacks, while the exercise will evaluate inter-agency coordination and integration. The drill will also test intelligence inputs and the use of best practices and standard operating procedures. There are two phases to the drill, with the first phase focusing on auditing infrastructure.
Conclusion
Exercise Sea Vigil-22 will take place from January 22 to January 23. It is the third edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise. It is intended to verify the efficacy of maritime security measures implemented in the wake of the events on September 11, 2001.It will involve both shore-based and seaward monitoring, covering the entire coastline and into the hinterlands.
During the Exercise Sea Vigil-22, Flag Officers from coastal states are coordinating the response of maritime agencies. The exercise is a great opportunity for agencies to work together to keep the coastline safe and secure. Further, it will improve inter-agency coordination in maritime security.