ISLAMABAD (TNS) Pakistan Navy conducting a national-level Exercise SEA GUARD 2026, in collaboration with key national stakeholders, from 2 February 2026 across the country’s vital maritime zones, including Karachi, Ormara, Gwadar and adjoining coastal areas and at sea.
The focus is on information sharing and coordination, with the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC) serving as a central hub for maritime domain awareness and real-time threat response.
The exercise includes scenario-based drills and table-top discussions to refine existing mechanisms and ensure a safer maritime environment
The exercise is another significant milestone in Pakistan Navy’s continuous efforts to enhance maritime security, inter-agency coordination and preparedness against both traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain.
The Exercise SEA GUARD 2026 has been designed to evaluate and strengthen the cohesive capability of concerned organizations to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime interests through a collaborative approach, bringing civil and military stakeholders together. All practical scenarios during the exercise are being centrally coordinated from the Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Centre (JMICC) of Pakistan Navy, located at Manora, Karachi.
Exercise SEA GUARD 2026 is being conducted as a national-level maritime exercise, integrating a wide range of stakeholders responsible for maritime law enforcement, port security, disaster response, environmental protection and intelligence sharing. Alongside Pakistan Navy, the exercise is witnessing active participation from Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), Pakistan Coast Guards, port authorities, law enforcement agencies, intelligence organizations and civil sector entities.
The exercise aims to evaluate and refine inter-agency coordination mechanisms, particularly the timely sharing of maritime information and synchronized responses to emerging situations at sea. Scenarios have been crafted to mirror real-world challenges faced in Pakistan’s maritime environment, ensuring that lessons learned remain directly applicable to operational realities. The central theme of Exercise SEA GUARD 2026 is maritime security, with emphasis being placed on countering threats such as illegal activities at sea, piracy, smuggling and potential terrorist threats against maritime infrastructure. Given Pakistan’s reliance on secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) for trade and energy supplies, the exercise highlights the importance of constant vigilance and proactive maritime domain awareness.
Recognizing the humanitarian dimension of maritime operations, Exercise SEA GUARD 2026 has included extensive Search and Rescue (SAR) scenarios.
These involve simulated distress situations at sea, requiring rapid coordination among naval units, maritime law enforcement agencies and civil authorities. Such drills reinforce Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling its international obligations for the safety of life at sea.
The ability to respond effectively to maritime accidents, fishing vessel emergencies or passenger craft in distress remains a vital component of national maritime responsibility.
Another key component of the exercise is the impartial evaluation by an independent authority. This provides an opportunity for neutral analysis of the exercise conduct.
The exercise is validating procedures for collecting, analyzing and disseminating maritime information among stakeholders, thereby enhancing situational awareness across the maritime domain.
Effective information sharing is being tested under time-sensitive conditions, highlighting the importance of integrated systems and robust communication channels.
The selection of exercise area highlights its strategic and economic importance to Pakistan. Karachi remains the country’s primary commercial port, while Gwadar represents a key node in regional connectivity and economic development.
By conducting Exercise SEA GUARD 2026 across these critical maritime zones, Pakistan Navy and partner agencies are reinforcing their commitment to ensuring security and the uninterrupted functioning of national ports and coastal infrastructure.Remember that Exercise Sea Guard 2026 is currently underway in Karachi, Pakistan, running from February 2-9, 2026. This national-level maritime security exercise is led by the Pakistan Navy and aims to enhance coordination and preparedness across the country’s maritime domain. The exercise brings together various stakeholders, including:
Government Departments: Maritime law enforcement agencies and other relevant government bodies
Private Sector: Shipping and fishing communities, as well as private sector entities
Security Agencies: To address traditional and non-traditional challenges at seaPakistan Navy has commenced the third edition of Exercise Sea Guard 2026, a key initiative to enhance coordination, preparedness, and response across the nation’s maritime domain amid evolving regional threats.
Launched under the directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff and themed #TogetherForSaferSeas, this multi-stakeholder drill brings together government departments, security agencies, private sector players, and maritime stakeholders to collectively tackle traditional and non-traditional challenges at sea. The exercise runs through February 9, building on the successful series started in 2024.Commander Coast delivered a stirring message at the opening, reaffirming the Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s vital sea lanes — the lifeline of the national economy and security. Participants are undergoing scenario-based practical drills at sea alongside table-top discussions to refine existing mechanisms, with the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC) serving as the central hub for real-time information sharing and threat response.
This year’s edition underscores Pakistan Navy’s proactive role in fostering unity among all maritime actors, ensuring robust coastal defence, and addressing emerging risks like hybrid threats and illegal activities. By strengthening interoperability and shared resolve, Exercise Sea Guard 2026 directly contributes to a safer, more stable maritime environment — vital for trade, fisheries, energy security, and the prosperity of every Pakistani.
The Navy’s message is clear: from shores to deep waters, guardians remain vigilant, ready to defend the blue economy and national interests under all circumstances. This exercise stands as a testament to Pakistan’s resolve to build a secure maritime future for the nation.
