India’s Defence Ministry has launched SAREX-2026, a multinational exercise designed to test maritime search and rescue capabilities across the Indian Ocean region. Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the exercise on October 7, 2026, ahead of its conduct off Paradip on October 8. The drill will involve participation and observation from 32 delegates representing 30 foreign countries, along with Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Coastal Police and port authorities.
The exercise forms part of India’s broader effort to strengthen regional maritime safety through cooperation with neighbouring and friendly nations. It will validate how multiple agencies can coordinate during emergencies at sea and test mechanisms for international coordination in search and rescue operations.
Key facts
- Exercise date: October 8, 2026, off Paradip coast
- Participating nations: 32 delegates from 30 countries
- Indian Search and Rescue Region coverage: 4.6 million square kilometres
- 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting held on October 7, 2026
- Board Chairman: Director General Paramesh Sivamani, Indian Coast Guard
- National Maritime Search and Rescue Awards 2026 presented during the meeting
What SAREX-2026 aims to achieve
SAREX-2026 is structured to validate how prepared India and its maritime partners are to handle emergencies at sea. The exercise will test three main elements: the ability of multiple agencies to work together seamlessly, the capacity of different countries to coordinate with each other during crises, and the effectiveness of response mechanisms when lives are at risk in the ocean.
Beyond testing readiness, the exercise serves as a platform for agencies to exchange best practices and learn from each other’s approaches to maritime rescue operations. This knowledge sharing helps improve overall standards of search and rescue across the region.
India’s evolving satellite-based search and rescue systems
The Defence Ministry highlighted that India has significantly upgraded its technical capabilities for locating vessels and people in distress at sea. India has progressed through three generations of satellite-aided search and rescue technology: Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (LEOSAR), Geostationary Search and Rescue (GEOSAR), and most recently Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR).
A key milestone was the achievement of full operational capability of India’s Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminal (MEOLUT), which represents a significant leap in India’s ability to detect distress signals from ships and aircraft across vast ocean areas. This system enables faster and more accurate identification of vessels in trouble.
How agencies will coordinate during the exercise
The 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting, held before the exercise, reviewed operational coordination mechanisms across India’s 4.6 million square kilometre Search and Rescue Region. Board members discussed technological integration, real-time information sharing between agencies, how distress alerts are managed, vessel tracking systems and coordination protocols between different agencies.
These discussions provided the operational groundwork for SAREX-2026, ensuring all participating agencies understand their roles and can work together effectively during the exercise.
What this means for maritime safety
For shipping companies, vessel operators and seafarers, SAREX-2026 represents India’s commitment to maintaining effective rescue operations across the Indian Ocean. The exercise ensures that when emergencies occur at sea, multiple agencies can respond quickly and coordinate across borders if needed. Countries involved in the exercise can learn from each other, leading to faster response times and better outcomes when lives are genuinely at risk.
The National Maritime Search and Rescue Awards presented during the board meeting recognised individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional performance in saving lives at sea, setting standards for operational excellence that will be reflected in future rescue missions.
Connection to India’s maritime development goals
The Defence Ministry framed SAREX-2026 within India’s broader vision of becoming a developed maritime nation by 2047. As India’s maritime trade and naval operations expand, having faster, more accurate and resilient search and rescue capabilities becomes essential. This exercise contributes directly to that objective by testing systems, training personnel and strengthening relationships with international partners who can provide mutual assistance during maritime emergencies.