Indian Navy begins coastal defence exercise off Indian coast

BHUBANESWAR: The largest defense exercise coordinated by Indian Navy off Indian coast began on Tuesday. The first of its kind exercise named 'Sea Vigil' will continue on Wednesday too.

The exercise is undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of India. It will involve all 13 coastal states and union territories along with maritime stakeholders including fishing and coastal community.

While smaller exercises are being conducted in Odisha coast regularly, this security exercise at a national level reflects the distance that has been covered since 26/11 Mumbai attack. It will further help in strengthening the maritime security and national security.

"The scale of the exercise is unprecedented and it's 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 a statement issued by the INS Chilka.

This exercise is being facilitated by ministry of defence, home affairs, shipping, petroleum and natural gas, fisheries, customs, state governments and other agencies of the Center and the state.

Seaward monitoring during exercise will involve patrolling off coast, in offshore development areas and off country's islands by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard supported by state marine police.

"The exercise will go deeper, being spread over seaward, coastal and hinterland areas. Evaluation of critical areas and processed, including inter-agency coordination, information sharing and technical surveillance will be undertaken," said the statement, adding, "It has been ten years since the unfortunate incident of 26/11 and Indian Navy has not left any stone unturned in order to be prepared to counter any such attack in future".