SAREX-2026: Odisha coast becomes rescue theatre
Odisha coast becomes rescue theatre as forces stage mega SAREX drill
32 foreign observers from 30 countries watch 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise off Paradip
By Pravakar Sahoo
Paradip, Oct. 8: The Odisha coast turned into a high-intensity maritime rescue zone on Thursday as the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and other agencies staged a massive search-and-rescue drill off Paradip under SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise.
Held off the Odisha coast for the first time on such a large scale, the exercise is aimed at testing the speed, coordination and operational readiness of multiple agencies in responding to a major emergency at sea.
The drill simulates a crisis far from the shore, where locating survivors and reaching them quickly can mean the difference between life and death.
The Indian Coast Guard has deployed 15 ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters and a Chetak helicopter for the exercise. The Indian Air Force has fielded a C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, while the Indian Navy has deployed two ships.
The participating teams are carrying out simulated search operations and using air and sea assets to locate, reach and evacuate people in distress. The exercise is also demonstrating specialised rescue capabilities for complex maritime emergencies and difficult operating conditions.
The scale of the exercise has attracted international attention, with 32 observers from 30 countries witnessing the operations.
Union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, who inaugurated SAREX-2026 in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, said such exercises were vital to strengthening preparedness and inter-agency coordination and ensuring a rapid response during maritime emergencies.
——————-
Photograph: Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and other agencies maritime search and rescue exercise off Paradip coast in Odisha on Thursday.
