Context
Recently, The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) off Odisha’s Paradip coast under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB).
About SAREX-2026
- Organising agency: Indian Coast Guard.
- Governing Body: National Maritime Search & Rescue Board (NMSARB).
- Location: Off Paradip coast, Odisha.
- Reviewing authority: Director General Paramesh Sivamani, Director General, Indian Coast Guard.
- International participation: 32 observers from 30 countries.
- International Strategic Alignment: Supports India’s regional maritime visions of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
- Participants: Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Coastal Police, Ports, civil agencies, shipping community, and international and regional partners
India’s Progress in Satellite-Based Emergency Response
| Generation | Orbit | Key Point |
| LEOSAR | Low Earth Orbit (~800-1,000 km), polar | Locates by Doppler effect; no continuous coverage |
| GEOSAR | Geostationary (~36,000 km) | Continuous coverage of a region; no Doppler location |
| MEOSAR | Medium Earth Orbit (~19,000-24,000 km) | Near-global coverage, faster and more accurate detection |
Significance of SAREX-2026
- Enhanced preparedness: Tests the ability of agencies to respond to complex maritime emergencies involving multiple casualties.
- Inter-agency coordination: Strengthens interoperability among the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, port authorities and civil agencies.
- Technology integration: Demonstrates the use of modern rescue equipment and remotely operated systems.
- International cooperation: Participation by observers from 30 countries facilitates knowledge-sharing and common operational practices.
- Maritime safety: Reinforces India’s capacity to act as a dependable maritime Search and Rescue partner in the region.
Conclusion
SAREX-2026 strengthened India’s maritime emergency-response preparedness by testing coordinated mass-rescue capabilities, integrating technological solutions and promoting international cooperation in Search and Rescue operations.
| Important CTC From this article: Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (LEOSAR) Geostationary Search and Rescue (GEOSAR) Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) |