Security Issues
Context: Recently the third edition of the ‘pan-India’ coastal defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ is conducted by the Indian Navy.
About Operation Sea Vigil:
- Sea Vigil is a national-level coastal defence exercise which was conceptualised in 2018 for enhancing maritime security since ‘26/11’ Mumbai terror attack.
- The exercise is being conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and other ministries involved in maritime activities.
- The exercise will be undertaken along the entire 7516-km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
- The exercise involves all the Coastal States and Union territories along with other maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
- Sea Vigil and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum Maritime Security challenges.
- Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) is an inter-service military exercise conducted every two years.
Additional Information:
- An Automatic Identification System (AIS) was made compulsory for all vessels above 20 metres after the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
- A project to install transponders on small fishing vessels, under 20 metres in length was planned and the pilot started in Tamil Nadu.
- The transponders with positioning navigation systems have been modified into a two-way communication system in this pilot.
Source: The Hindu
