The Indian Navy will coordinate the fifth edition of the pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-26’ from November 11 to 19, 2026, to assess and strengthen the country’s maritime security and coastal defence preparedness.
The exercise will be conducted in two phases. The Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase will take place from November 11 to 17, followed by the Sea Phase on November 18 and 19.
Conceptualised in 2018, Sea Vigil was launched to validate measures introduced to strengthen India’s maritime security following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
The 2026 edition will cover the entire Indian coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), involving all coastal states and Union Territories, along with various maritime stakeholders, including fishing and coastal communities.
The exercise will bring together personnel and assets from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime agencies. Its scale reflects the geographical coverage, number of participating agencies and the wide range of operational objectives.
The exercise is being facilitated by the Ministries of Defence; Home Affairs; Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with other central government agencies and coastal states and Union Territories.
Sea Vigil also serves as a precursor to the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX). Together, the two exercises cover the full spectrum of maritime security challenges, ranging from coastal defence to operations in the high seas.
Conducted at the national level, Sea Vigil provides an opportunity to assess the country’s overall preparedness in maritime security and coastal defence.
Sea Vigil-26 is expected to provide a realistic assessment of India’s maritime security capabilities and help identify areas for further strengthening the country’s overall national security framework.
-PIB
