“Sagar Kavach” drill tests coastal security readiness along Kerala coast

A two-day coastal security exercise, “Sagar Kavach,” was conducted along the Kerala coastline and in Mahe, a Puducherry enclave within the state, to evaluate preparedness against potential maritime threats, defence officials said on Friday.

Held from March 12 to 13 , the exercise brought together multiple security, defence, and enforcement agencies in a coordinated drill designed to test response capabilities to asymmetric threats originating from the sea. According to an official release, the operation involved deployment of Indian Navy ships, Indian Coast Guard vessels, and patrol boats from the Coastal Police, Customs Department, Marine Enforcement Wing, and Cochin Port Authority.

In addition to surface operations, aerial surveillance missions were carried out by aircraft of the Navy and the Coast Guard, enabling real-time monitoring of coastal waters and sensitive installations.

The exercise was conducted under the supervision of Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena , Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence (South). Authorities said the primary objective was to strengthen the multi-layered coastal security framework , assess the protection of harbours and critical infrastructure, and enhance the use of technology-based monitoring systems.

Officials emphasised that coastal security depends on coordinated action among multiple stakeholders. The drill therefore focused on improving inter-agency coordination , rapid response mechanisms, and information sharing. Special attention was also given to the role of the fishing community, often described as the “eyes and ears” of maritime security agencies.

The operation was coordinated by the Joint Operations Centre in Kochi , the central hub for coastal security activities in the region.

Such exercises are conducted periodically to ensure that India’s coastline remains prepared to counter emerging maritime security challenges and safeguard strategic assets.