Kolkata: The Indian Navy is set to launch the fourth edition of its pan-India coastal defense exercise, Sea Vigil-24, on November 20-21. This extensive two-day drill will involve not only the Navy but also the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, National Security Guard, Border Security Force, and Central Industrial Security Force, covering the entire 11,098 kilometers of India’s coastline and its expansive exclusive economic zone of approximately 2.4 million square kilometers.
Commodore Ajay Yadav, the Naval Officer-in-Charge for West Bengal, will play a crucial role in overseeing the coordination efforts among various stakeholders in the eastern state. The Navy has emphasized the importance of detailed preparation for the exercise, highlighting that multiple coordination meetings have been conducted. These sessions included an initial planning conference and a main planning conference, which saw participation from various agencies aimed at ensuring maximum synergy and the efficient activation of coastal defense and security mechanisms.
A statement from the Navy outlined that during the execution phase of Sea Vigil-24, precisely coordinated attacks will be launched by the Red Force on strategically identified vulnerable assets and critical points along the coastline. The exercise will be directed from a Joint Coordination Center located at Naval Station Kolkata, where representatives from all involved agencies will collaborate intensively to enhance coordination and operational effectiveness.
The primary focus of this year’s drill will be on bolstering the security of vital coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, single point moorings, and essential coastal infrastructures, in addition to ensuring the safety of the coastal population. The involvement of the Army and Air Force, along with the planned deployment of a significant number of warships and aircraft, is expected to heighten the level of preparedness and responsiveness during the exercise, as noted by the Navy.
Overall, Sea Vigil-24 is poised to be a comprehensive test of India’s coastal defense capabilities and a demonstration of the country’s commitment to securing its maritime interests against potential threats.
