Archive · 8 Oct 2026
SAREX-2026 Tests Maritime Rescue Readiness Off Odisha Coast
SAREX-2026 was a practice exercise for rescuing people in trouble at sea.
It took place near Paradip, off the Odisha coast.
The teams pretended there was a serious emergency far from shore.
Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and other agencies practised searching for people and getting them to safety.
They used ships and aircraft during the drill.
The exercise tested how well the teams could work together and respond quickly.
Observers from 30 countries watched the operations.
Sanjay Seth said exercises like this help agencies prepare for real emergencies.
India’s 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX-2026, was held off the Odisha coast near Paradip.
The drill tested how quickly multiple agencies can coordinate in response to a major emergency at sea.
The Coast Guard deployed 15 ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters and one Chetak helicopter.
The Air Force sent a C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, while the Navy deployed two ships.
Thirty-two observers from 30 countries watched the exercise, which was inaugurated by Union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth.
- Who
- The Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and other agencies took part; Sanjay Seth inaugurated the exercise.
- What
- SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, tested coordinated search and rescue operations.
- When
- The exercise took place on Thursday; Sanjay Seth inaugurated it in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Off the Odisha coast near Paradip, with the inauguration in Bhubaneswar.
- Why
- To test operational readiness, coordination and rapid response during maritime emergencies.
- Exercise
- SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise
- Location
- Off Paradip on the Odisha coast
- Coast Guard assets
- 15 ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters and one Chetak helicopter
- Air Force assets
- A C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft
- Navy assets
- Two ships
- International observers
- 32 observers from 30 countries
- Inaugurated by
- Union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday