New Delhi, Oct 6 (JKNS): Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the 12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) on October 7, with a major search and rescue demonstration scheduled off the Paradip coast on October 8, as the Indian Coast Guard prepares to conduct one of the region’s largest multi-agency maritime rescue drills.
As per news agency JKNS, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth will inaugurate the 12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) on 07 October 26, and witness SAR Demo off Paradip coast on 08 October 26 being organized by the Indian Coast Guard.
A key highlight of this exercise is the international participation of 32 observers from 30 countries, underscoring the cooperative protocols, strategic importance, and global interoperability of the drill.
SAREX-2026 will be one of the largest and most complex SAR exercises ever conducted in the region, deploying 15 Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters, a Chetak helicopter, IAF C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, two Indian Navy ships, civil/state assets, and shore-based support units.
The exercise will simulate a Mass Rescue Operation involving concurrent aeronautical and maritime distress situations; including ditching of a passenger aircraft at sea with 228 persons onboard and its impact with container vessel MV Zumba.
The Indian Coast Guard will also convene the 24th National Maritime Search & Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting at Bhubaneswar under the Chairmanship of Director General Paramesh Sivamani, Director General, Indian Coast Guard.
Deliberations will focus on strengthening national SAR preparedness, enhancing distress-alert management, and ensuring faster mobilisation of rescue assets through technology integration and seamless inter-agency coordination.
The 24th NMSAR Board Meeting and SAREX-2026 highlight India’s resolve to build a faster, technology-enabled and internationally connected SAR framework, in consonance with the vision of SAGAR and the spirit of MAHASAGAR. (JKNS)
