SAREX-2026

SAREX-2026 Latest News

The Indian Coast Guard conducted the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) off Paradip, Odisha.

About SAREX-2026

• It is a multi-agency exercise aimed to strengthen maritime safety and rescue operations aligned with “India’s ‘SAGAR’ and ‘Mahasagar’ visions.”
• It is being conducted by the Indian Coast Guard.
• SAREX-2026 Theme: “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety.” 
• Participants: It is being participated by 32 observers from 30 countries.
• Their participation facilitated exchange of best practices, enhanced global interoperability and reaffirmed India’s role as a dependable maritime Search and Rescue partner in the region.
• Participating forces and Assets: The assets deployed included 15 Coast Guard ships, three Dornier aircraft, three Advance Light Helicopters, one Chetak helicopter, IAF C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, two Indian Navy ships, along with civil and state resources and shore-based support units. 
• Activities Involved
  • The sea drill simulated a Mass Rescue Operation following a concurrent aeronautical and maritime distress emergency.
  • As part of the scenario, a passenger aircraft carrying 228 persons ditched at sea near Paradip Port, with the fuselage impacting the container vessel MV Zumba, resulting in structural damage and fire.
  • The exercise involved activation of the Incident Command Post, firefighting operations, helicopter evacuations, deployment of life rafts and air-droppable life rafts, Jason Cradle and Gemini recovery, rescue basket operations and scramble net procedures.
  • The exercise also included a demonstration of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) capability.

Source: PIB

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