The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance efforts in the Arabian Sea after the region saw multiple attacks on merchant ships this month.
The Navy had increased its force levels in the Central/North Arabian Sea.
In a statement issued, the Navy said: “Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident. Aerial surveillance by long-range maritime patrol aircraft and RPAs has been enhanced to have a complete maritime domain awareness. Towards effective surveillance of EEZ, Indian Navy is operating in close coordination with Coast Guard.”
It added that it was closely monitoring the Central/North Arabian Sea, in coordination with national maritime agencies.
“Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region,” the statement said.
On December 23, a drone attack was reported on the chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto, approximately 220 nautical miles south-west of Porbandar. The Navy said a joint investigation by various agencies had begun after the vessel reached the Indian coast.
Additionally, there was a piracy incident involving the MV Ruen approximately 700 miles from the Indian coast.
Indian Navy had earlier deployed three warships for surveillance:
In light of the frequent attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy deployed three warships- INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata- alongside P-8I long-range patrol aircraft for surveillance in the region to maintain a "deterrent presence."
"Considering the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy has deployed guided missile destroyers, INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata, in various areas to maintain a deterrent presence," Navy had said.
Recent attacks on Indian ships:
MV Chem Pluto, carrying crude oil to New Mangalore port from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia, was struck about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar on last Saturday. No one was injured in the incident.
A Gabon-flagged commercial crude oil tanker with 25 Indian crew members also came under a drone attack in the Southern Red Sea on Saturday but no one was injured, according to Indian officials and the US military.
