Sagar Kavach Coastal Security Exercise Conducted Along Andaman & Nicobar Coastline
Surface and air assets of coastal security stakeholders participated to validate coastal security SOPs, strengthen inter-agency coordination. Image courtesy: X.com/@AN_Command
In a major demonstration of India’s coastal defence readiness, the biannual Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach was carried out along the Andaman & Nicobar coastline last week on November 13–14, 2025. The drill, led by the Coast Guard Region (A&N) in close coordination with the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), transformed the island chain into a high-security testing ground for maritime surveillance and interdiction.
A full spectrum of surface, air, and shore-based assets participated, including Indian Coast Guard patrol vessels, interceptor boats, aircraft; Indian Navy’s frontline warships, naval air squadron units; Marine Police & PMF (Protected Marine Force).
The coordinated deployment ensured layered surveillance from the outer seaward zone to the coastal shallow waters, replicating real-world threat scenarios.
Sagar Kavach: What did the exercise aim to achieve?
The exercise focused on tightening India’s maritime security grid in the eastern Indian Ocean by testing multiple operational pillars. The Andaman & Nicobar Sagar Kavach exercise validated coastal security SOPs, enhanced inter-agency coordination, along with boosting preparedness against emerging threats.
Why is Sagar Kavach critical for the A&N region?
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands sit at the strategic crossroads of the Bay of Bengal, Malacca Strait, and Indo-Pacific maritime routes. Regular Sagar Kavach exercises ensure strong deterrence against infiltration and seaborne terror, stronger domain awareness over vital sea lanes, improved coastal policing and joint response capability.
With growing maritime competition and rising transnational threats, Sagar Kavach continues to be a core element of India’s maritime security posture.
Earlier this month, a two-day Sagar Kavach exercise was conducted for the state of Kerala, UTs of Mahe and Lakshadweep from November 6-7, 2025 to assess the preparedness of all agencies against asymmetric threats emanating from the sea. During the exercise, Indian Naval Ships, Coast Guard surface assets and patrol boats of Coastal Police, Customs, Marine Enforcement Wing and Cochin Port Authorities were deployed along the coast of Kerala and UTL.
“Necessity of augmenting multi-layered security at sea, validation of security architecture of harbours, vital installations and technology driven surveillance mechanism to counter threat were the thrust areas exercised to strengthen the Coastal Security construct,” the Indian Coast Guard said.
