The Indian Navy and several other agencies involved in coastal defence and maritime security brainstormed over the outcome of the ‘Sea Vigil’ exercise — the first-of-its-kind multi-agency drill covering the entire 7,516 km-long Indian coastline and exclusive economic zone.
The mega exercise took place on January 22 and 23 withparticipation of 13 coastal states and union territories along with allmaritime stakeholders with an aim to check the efficacy of maritime securityand surveillance.
Nearly 150 ships, 40 aircraft and a number of otherstrategic assets of the Navy and Coast Guard were part of the exercise which,according to the Navy, was “unprecedented” in its scale and size.
Navy officials said a debriefing on the exercise was held onTuesday during which significant results achieved in the course of the two-daydrill were deliberated upon.
The debriefing was chaired by Deputy Chief of the NavalStaff Vice Admiral MS Pawar, and was attended by top functionaries of the Navy,Indian Coast Guard and concerned union ministries, agencies and representativesof the coastal states.
“He complimented the strong inter-agency coordination and interoperability achieved during the exercise and reiterated the need for flexibility and agility to deal with security challenges,” Navy Spokesperson Capt D K Sharma said.