Paradip: The waters off Odisha’s Paradip coast witnessed a large-scale maritime rescue exercise on Thursday as the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and several other agencies participated in SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise.
The exercise marked the first time that such a large-scale maritime rescue drill was conducted off the Odisha coast, bringing together defence, rescue and civil agencies to test their preparedness for emergencies at sea.
Full-Scale Maritime Rescue Exercise
Organised by the Indian Coast Guard, SAREX-2026 is designed to recreate a major maritime emergency in which coordinated and rapid action is required to save lives.
The exercise involves 15 Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters and a Chetak helicopter. The Indian Air Force has also deployed a C-130J aircraft and Mi-17 helicopter, while two Indian Navy ships are participating in the drill.
The participating teams are carrying out simulated operations involving the detection and location of people in distress, deployment of air and sea assets, and evacuation of survivors to safety.
The exercise also provides an opportunity to test specialised rescue capabilities and operational coordination under challenging maritime conditions.
International Observers Witness Operations
SAREX-2026 has also drawn international participation, with 32 observers from 30 countries attending the exercise to witness the search and rescue operations.
The presence of international observers highlights the importance of coordinated maritime search and rescue operations and provides an opportunity for participating agencies to exchange operational knowledge and best practices.
Defence Minister Inaugurates Exercise in Bhubaneswar
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated SAREX-2026 in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
During the inauguration, Seth highlighted the importance of such exercises in strengthening preparedness and ensuring a rapid and coordinated response during maritime emergencies where saving lives is the primary objective.
The large-scale drill off the Paradip coast is expected to strengthen coordination among India’s maritime security and rescue agencies while providing valuable experience in handling complex emergencies at sea.
