Maritime Security: Simultaneous operations along the country's 7516 km long coastline, the Sea Vigil-Tropex exercise begins

A two-day (15-16 November) nationwide coastal defense exercise Sea Vigil and TROPEX (Theater Level Readiness Operational Exercise) began on Tuesday under the leadership of the Indian Navy. During this, both exercises will be conducted simultaneously along the country's 7,516 km long coastline. This is the third edition of these exercises which were started in 2018 to safeguard the country's coastal borders after the 26/11 attacks.

Will be involved from fishermen to ministry

The concept of Sea Vigil is to simultaneously activate the Coastal Security Mechanism of the entire country and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Coastal Defense Mechanism. At the same time, under TROPEX, the capabilities, weaknesses, and needs of the security forces are assessed. This exercise is carried out simultaneously along the entire 7,516 km long coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone. Unprecedented in terms of conceptual and geographical scope, number of stakeholders involved, number of participating units, and objectives, these exercises will involve people from fishing communities to coastal communities to central government ministries.

Capabilities will be assessed

Both exercises will simultaneously assess maritime security challenges and capabilities of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs, and other maritime agencies. The Ministry of Defense is the facilitator of this exercise. At the same time, the Ministry of Home Affairs coordinates it, while several central agencies and state governments, including Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Customs, are involved in it.

tight security arrangements

A Defense Ministry official said that stringent security arrangements have been made to ensure that incidents like the terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26 in 2008 are not repeated. Small-scale exercises are regularly conducted in the intervening coastal states, including joint exercises between neighboring territories.

Also Read: TROPEX: India to conduct military exercises on a 7516 km long coastline from today, Indian Navy will lead