Indian Navy Coordinates Sea Vigil-26 Coastal Security Exercise Across India, November 11–19
The Indian Navy is coordinating Sea Vigil-26, the fifth nationwide coastal defence exercise, from November 11 to 19, 2026. Covering India’s entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the exercise will assess the country’s coastal security preparedness and the coordination of the agencies responsible for maritime security.
All coastal states and Union Territories are involved, with the Navy serving as the lead coordinating agency. The exercise will be conducted in two phases, combining an evaluation of existing arrangements with maritime security operations.
Two phases will test coastal security arrangements
The first phase, the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE), is scheduled for November 11 to 17. It will examine current coastal security mechanisms, operational preparedness and coordination among participating agencies.
The Sea Phase will follow on November 18 and 19, with maritime security operations designed to test coastal defence arrangements under realistic conditions.
Exercise developed in response to 26/11 attacks
Sea Vigil was conceptualised in 2018 as part of efforts to strengthen maritime security after the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks. The attacks exposed vulnerabilities in coastal surveillance and security, prompting measures to improve maritime domain awareness, coordination between agencies and coastal defence capabilities.
The nationwide exercise was established to test those measures and identify areas where further improvements may be needed. Its broad geographic scope and participation by multiple agencies will allow security procedures, communications networks, surveillance arrangements and operational coordination to be assessed across the coastline.
Security agencies, administrations and coastal communities to take part
Personnel and assets from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime agencies will participate. The exercise is being facilitated by the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Central government agencies, coastal state administrations and Union Territory authorities will also contribute. Fishing communities and coastal populations are included, reflecting their role in identifying suspicious activity and supporting maritime security efforts.
The exercise is expected to help reveal potential gaps in coastal security and inform improvements to India’s maritime defence architecture. Its scale, the range of participating agencies and the variety of security objectives make it an opportunity to assess preparedness across the country’s maritime security system.
Sea Vigil precedes the Navy’s TROPEX
Sea Vigil also precedes the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), one of the Navy’s major operational exercises. Sea Vigil concentrates on coastal defence and maritime security preparedness, while TROPEX assesses wider naval operational capabilities, including operations on the high seas.
Together, the exercises address challenges ranging from threats along India’s coastline to more complex scenarios across the wider maritime domain. The Navy has said that holding Sea Vigil at the national level provides an opportunity to assess the country’s overall readiness for maritime security and coastal defence.
Sea Vigil-26 is intended to provide a realistic assessment of coastal security capabilities and strengthen coordination and operational readiness among the agencies involved.
