NEWS: Raksha Rajya Mantri inaugurated SAREX-2026 off the coast of Paradip, Odisha, alongside the 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting.

ABOUT SAREX

• Biennial multinational maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) exercise.
• Lead agency → Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• Aim → operational readiness + international cooperation + inter-agency coordination.
• Simulates → aircraft ditching, sinking ships + mass casualty evacuations.

KEY FEATURES

• Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR) → covers approximately 4.6 million sq km.
• MEOSAR → Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue satellite system for faster distress-alert detection.
• MEOLUT → Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminal; processes satellite signals to locate distress beacons.
• Live drills → firefighting, liferaft air-drops, helicopter rescue + passenger evacuation.
• Coordination → Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) + defence, shipping and aviation agencies.

NATIONAL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE BOARD

• Provides policy oversight and coordination for maritime search and rescue.
• Headed by the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Faster response to maritime accidents + disasters.
• Strengthens regional cooperation and interoperability.
• Supports India’s role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

Promotes a Whole-of-Government + Whole-of-Nation approach