Indian Navy Rises Against Piracy

Shift in Piracy Dynamics

The Gulf of Aden is a crucial maritime region, with 21,000 ships traversing it annually. It forms part of the Suez Canal shipping route, facilitating oil transportation from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. Experts note that pirates are exploiting the security transition from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea due to reduced global naval presence–NATO concluded its Operation Ocean Shield counter-piracy mission way back in December 2016.

Currently, the responsibility to safeguard vessels in the Gulf of Aden now rests with the US-led coalition, EU maritime forces, the Indian Navy, and Chinese naval ships. India, however, has chosen not to join a multinational force despite the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. India places ‘very high’ importance on the freedom of navigation and the unhindered movement of commercial shipping. With this in mind, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that India would monitor the regional situation closely and continue to deploy its warships to protect its coastline and maritime communication routes in the Arabian Sea. This decision follows reports that the US had invited India to join an international coalition established in December 2023. Led by the US Navy, several nations have initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian to safeguard the Red Sea shipping route from attacks by Houthi rebels based in Iran.

Economic Repercussions of Pirate Attacks

The economic repercussions of maritime disorder caused by pirates, Houthis, or other entities lead to increased insurance rates and affect trade routes, ultimately burdening the common citizens. Safeguarding trade routes to ensure that goods are available at the intended prices is, hence, important and disruptions in sea trade would force goods to circumnavigate Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, resulting in higher costs that would ultimately be borne by the consumers. Thus, due to India's prominent naval presence in the Indian Ocean, it is the responsibility of the Indian Navy to maintain the safety, security, and stability of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Admiral Kumar indicated that the Red Sea crisis has reactivated the High Risk Area (HRA), with notifications issued by London agencies. He mentioned that insurance rates have surged by approximately 35–40 per cent, and container costs have escalated from $500 to over $2,000. Additionally, he noted that 40% to 50% of companies are now rerouting their ships via the Cape of Good Hope.

The Latest Save by the Indian Navy

Based on surveillance information analysis, the Indian Navy successfully tracked the movement of Ruen and directed INS Kolkata to intercept it approximately 260 nautical miles east of Somalia.

On 15 March, INS Kolkata confirmed the presence of armed pirates through a ship-launched drone. Despite being fired upon by the pirates, INS Kolkata disabled the pirate ship's steering system and navigational aids, forcing it to halt.

On 17 March, a precision strike against these Somali pirates was observed worldwide. The operation unfolded 260 nautical miles east of Somalia and 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) away from the Indian coast. During this anti-piracy mission, the Indian Navy's elite commandoes, known as MARCOS PRAHARs, were air-dropped by a C-17 aircraft. Ultimately, all pirates were caught and all crew members were saved.

Upon request from the ship's original company, Navibulgar, and the Master, the crew of MV Ruen was reinstated onboard the ship, returning it to its previous status and raising the flag of Malta. It then proceeded to the next port of Salalah (Oman), as decided by the company, under the escort of INS Subhadra to safeguard it against further pirate attacks.

A Little About the Attackers…

When asked about the source of the drones and ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels targeting commercial shipping, the Navy Chief indicated uncertainty regarding their external assistance. He noted that the drones could be constructed from readily available materials. He indicated that a drone retrieved from a merchant ship was made of plywood and basic components, suggesting it could be locally made. He further mentioned that essential cargo, including fertilizers, crude oil, and finished products, has been escorted based on government requests, with approximately 150 lakh tonnes of commodities safeguarded in the past 100 days.

​​Highlighting the geopolitical dynamics at play, Admiral Hari Kumar noted that while no Indian vessels had been targeted, ships with links to Israel and flags of Western nations like the UK and the US were being targeted by Houthi rebels. Given the presence of Indian crew members on many of these ships, the Indian Navy has been actively involved in the region.

Commodore Randhawa emphasised the Indian Navy's proactive role in addressing regional security challenges. He highlighted the Navy's achievements, including saving over 110 lives, escorting 15 lakh tonnes of critical commodities, conducting nearly 1,000 boarding operations, seizing more than 3,000 kg of narcotics, and providing assurance to over 450 merchant vessels in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

And This Is Not the Only Save…

On 17 January, the Indian Navy's INS Visakhapatnam, as part of its ten-ship anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, swiftly responded to a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged MV Genco Picardy after a drone attack at 2311 hours. Amidst rising pirate and Houthi militant activities in the region, INS Visakhapatnam intercepted the vessel at 0030 hours on 18 January. MV Genco Picardy, with 22 crew members including nine Indians onboard, reported no casualties and controlled the fire. Subsequently, the Indian Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists inspected the cargo ship's damaged area on 18 Januar, ensuring its safety before the vessel proceeded to its next port of call.

The Indian Navy has also promptly reacted to a drone attack on the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indians among its 22-member crew, near the Indian coast, approximately 220 nautical miles southwest of Porbandar, Gujarat. Analysis of the ship's debris post-attack confirmed a drone strike, prompting India to call for further forensic and technical investigations to determine the attack's specifics, including the type and amount of explosives used.

Shortly after the MV Chem Pluto incident, the Gabon-flagged oil tanker MV Sai Baba, carrying 25 Indian crew members, faced a similar drone attack in the Red Sea, involving a Norwegian-flagged merchant vessel.

The Indian Navy has also thwarted a hijacking attempt on a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier in the Arabian Sea by deploying marine commandos and the P8I maritime patrol aircraft. The Navy's warning led the hijackers to abandon their efforts, ensuring the safety of the crew members who had taken refuge in the ship's citadel.

In response to these events, the Indian Navy bolstered its maritime security and surveillance operations in the Arabian Sea, deploying over ten frontline destroyers and frigates, along with the P8I aircraft, Dornier naval planes, and MQ-9B Predator drones.

Indian Navy's Maritime Security Operations

The IFC-IOR in Gurugram has emerged as a pivotal hub for facilitating information exchange in the IOR. Coordinated missions with the Indian Air Force and national agencies have also demonstrated synergies across services.

Also, responding to the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Indian Navy expanded the scope of its maritime security operations under Operation Sankalp since mid-December 2023. As of now, the Indian Navy has addressed 18 incidents in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and acted as the primary first responder. Speaking to the media after completing 100 days of naval operations against anti-drone, anti-missile, and anti-piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea, Admiral Hari Kumar emphasised the Navy's commitment to proactive measures. He cited Operation Sankalp, aimed at securing the Bulgaria-flagged merchant vessel MV Ruen, as a testament to the need for sustained interventions. He, also, highlighted the extensive efforts since December 2023. These efforts encompass deploying over 5,000 personnel at sea, utilising over 450 ship days across 21 ships, and conducting 900 hours of maritime surveillance flights. He also lauded the Maritime Piracy Act 2022 as a 'great enabler', empowering the Indian Navy to board, search, and detain pirated ships. He revealed that in the past 100 days alone, the Navy had conducted approximately 1,000 such boardings.

In the face of escalating threats and challenges, the Indian Navy stands unwavering, exemplifying valour and dedication as it rises against piracy. Its steadfast commitment to safeguarding maritime routes and protecting its sailors, indeed, resonates with a profound sense of duty and national pride.