The Indian Navy conducted the two-day Sagar Kavach 02/23 Coastal Security Exercise in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and the UT of Puducherry from October 11 to October 12, 2023. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, FOCINC (East), who also serves as Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence (East), oversaw the execution of the exercise. There were about 2500 participants, including members of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, State and U/T Administration, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, Intelligence Agencies, Light Houses, Ports Forest, etc.
The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of the coastal defense mechanism while addressing an asymmetric threat coming from the sea. To increase monitoring in the area, Indian Naval Ships were sent in addition to Coast Guard and other coastal security agency resources. Enhanced security measures were put in place, and Dornier helicopters and aircraft operating out of Visakhapatnam, Chennai, and Ramnathapuram conducted intensive overhead observation. The Joint Operations Centre (East) at Visakhapatnam, which serves as the central hub for all coastal security operations and exercises in the operational area, kept a careful eye on the drill.
All partners in coastal security demonstrated close collaboration and synchronization during the exercise. The coastal security architecture would be strengthened using the lessons learned during the exercise.
