SAREX-2026

About SAREX-2026

• Multinational Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) is a multi-agency exercise to test operational preparedness, joint response mechanisms and international interoperability.
  • It promotes exchange of best practices, with preservation of life at sea as the paramount objective.
• Location: It is to be conducted off Paradip, Odisha on October 08, 2026.
• Hosted by: It is being conducted by the Indian Coast Guard.
• Participants: The exercise will have participation and observation of 32 delegates from 30 foreign friendly nations.
  • Assets Deployed: The assets deployed included 15 Coast Guard ships, three Dornier aircraft, three Advanced 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.
• Theme: SAREX-2026 theme is “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety.” 
• 2026 Edition: This is the 12th edition of National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise. 
  • The first edition was conducted in 2003.
• Features:
  • The exercise brought together maritime and aeronautical agencies to demonstrate operational readiness, interoperability and coordinated response to mass rescue operations at sea.
  • Activities conducted: It simulated a Mass Rescue Operation involving simultaneous aeronautical and maritime emergencies.
    • The scenario involved a passenger aircraft carrying 228 persons ditching at sea and colliding with the container vessel MV Zumba.
    • 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.