Sea Vigil-24 is the largest national level coastal defense exercise. Where India's maritime defense and security capabilities will be showcased.

The Mumbai attacks of 26/11 led to a comprehensive review of the organisational framework of pan India coastal security construct. Post review, the Indian Navy (IN) was designated as the agency responsible for overall Maritime Security including Offshore and Coastal Security and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was made responsible for coastal security in territorial waters. Naval Commander-in-Chief (C-in-Cs) were designated as C-in-Cs Coastal Defence of their respective Area of Responsibilities(AoR).  All agencies were directed to increase surveillance and patrol, and assist the IN in the discharge of coastal security responsibilities. Post 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved several measures to strengthen maritime, coastal and offshore 

security. 

To improve Coastal Defence and Security mechanism, the Indian Navy started conducting Ex Sea Vigil since 2019. The fourth edition of the ‘Pan India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’ is planned from 20 to 21 Nov 24. Ex Sea Vigil will span an unprecedented scale, both in terms of geographical reach and the magnitude of participation, with involvement of 06 Ministries and 21 organisations/ agencies. 

Encompassing the entire 11,098 kms coastline and vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million square kilometers, this comprehensive exercise will engage complete coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing community and coastal 

populace, simultaneously. One of the aims of the exercise is to raise awareness amongst coastal communities about maritime security, and thus, involvement of fishing communities, coastal populace, and Secretariat officials were also part of Indian Navy led CDSRE teams for the first time, along with personnel from State Marine Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries etc,. 

During execution phase of exercise, precisely coordinated attacks will be launched on identified prominent Vulnerable Assets (VAs) and Vulnerable Points (VPs) by the Red Force. This complete exercise will be steered from Joint Coordination Center (JCC) at Naval Station Kolkata, wherein representatives from all stakeholders will be working closely for achieving increased coordination and synergy.

The exercise will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, single point moorings and critical coastal 

infrastructure including the coastal population. This year participation by other services (Indian Army & Air Force) and planned deployment of 

large number of ships and aircraft has enhanced the tempo of the exercise.