Tag: Indian navy

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Indian Navy Thwarts Hijack Bid by Somali Pirates

In a daring operation to safeguard maritime security, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted Somali pirates from using a ex-merchant vessel Ruen to hijack ships traversing the region, the Indian Navy spokesperson said.

The ex-MV Ruen, which had been commandeered by Somali pirates on December 14, 2023, was reported to have reappeared as a pirate vessel, threatening merchant shipping in the high seas. Responding swiftly to the threat, an Indian Navy warship engaged the pirate vessel on March 15.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy, it was revealed that upon interception, the Ruen when intercepted opened fire on the Naval warship, prompting a response from naval officials.

Acting in strict accordance with international law and protocols governing maritime security, the Indian Navy retaliated with minimal force necessary to neutralize the pirate threat and ensure the safety of seafarers and shipping lanes.

“#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high seas,” the Navy said in a post on social media platform X.

“The vessel was intercepted by the #IndianNavy warship on #15Mar. The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions iaw international law, in self-defence & to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender & release the vessel & any civilians they may be holding against their will,” it said.

The pirates aboard the vessel have been called upon by the Indian Navy to surrender immediately and release any civilians they may be holding against their will. The Indian Navy reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters. (ANI)

ALSO READ: INS Jatayu to Boost Indian Navy’s Anti-Piracy Efforts

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Indian Navy Set to Commission New Base in Lakshadweep

Indian Navy set to commission INS Jatayu naval base in Lakshadweep, to enhance operational capability

The Indian Navy is all set to commission the naval detachment in Minicoy as INS Jatayu in the presence of Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, on March 6.

The event marks an important milestone in the Navy’s resolve to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands.

Naval Detachment Minicoy was set up in the early 1980s under the operational command of Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep).

Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, which straddles the vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). The establishment of an independent naval unit with the requisite infrastructure and resources will enhance the overall operational capability of the Indian Navy in the islands.

The base will enhance operational reach and facilitate the Indian Navy’s operational effort towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea. It will also augment the Indian Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland.

The establishment of a naval base is in line with the Government of India’s focus on the comprehensive development of islands.

INS Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.

With the commissioning of INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy will strengthen its foothold in the Lakshadweep islands and along with extending operational surveillance, reach and sustenance, it will usher in a new era of capacity building and comprehensive development of the island territories.

Notably, the Indian Navy is also going to hold its commanders’ conference on board the twin aircraft carriers, including INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, where they will be undertaking high-tempo operations like taking off from one carrier and landing at the other, along with participation from other warships and submarines in the carrier battle groups, defence officials told ANI.

The Indian Navy is also going to formally commission the multirole helicopter MH-60 Romeo at Kochi in the next week, they said.

The Indian Navy is also going to demonstrate for the first time the twin carrier operations in the areas near Lakshadweep. This would be the first time, after the induction of INS Vikrant, that the Navy would be carrying out the operations of the two aircraft carriers together. (ANI)

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After flak over inaction, Chinese Navy escorts cargo ships in Red Sea

Experts noted that despite being considered a world power and having a naval base in Djibouti (near the area of the incident), did not respond to the distress call from merchant vessel Marlin Luanda and it was the Indian Navy that demonstrated swift action.

The Chinese navy has started escorting Chinese cargo ships through the Red Sea, according to a shipping company and Chinese state media reports, Voice of America (VOA) reported.

The development comes at a time when various cargo shipping companies have decided to avoid the globally important trade passage citing attacks from Houthi rebels.

Since November, Iran-backed Houthis have launched scores of drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, acts that they say are in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in the war with Israel.

Significantly, weighing in on recent attacks on merchant ships by armed Houthi rebels and suspected pirates on the Red Sea and western Arabian Sea, experts and distinguished voices from across the world, while commending the prompt response by the Indian Navy to distressed vessels, called out China over the lack of similar rescue missions.

Hailing the rescue of crew from distressed merchant vessel Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, the experts noted that despite being considered a world power and having a naval base in Djibouti (near the area of the incident), did not respond to the distress call and it was the Indian Navy that demonstrated swift action.

“India takes over. Superpower rising…Stop drooling over China,” Europe-based historian and researcher, Martin Sauerbrey posted on X.

British journalist Mark Urban also called it ‘fascinating’ that India, and not China, has risen to the crisis in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.”

Among the emerging great powers fascinating to see how India has risen to the crisis in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea…China not so much,” Urban posted on X.

A US-led coalition has responded to the attacks with missile strikes on Houthi positions, backed by a collective force from Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain. But they have so far not stopped ships from being targeted, as per VOA.

At a time when most shipping companies have re-routed to go around Africa, doubling costs and shipping times, Sea Legend Shipping, a Qingdao-based company registered in Singapore, is actively promoting its cargo business through the Red Sea.

The company said since January, the Chinese navy has provided security escorts for its five cargo ships in the Red Sea, making it one of the few still operating in the region, according to Chinese media.

In an emailed response to a request for confirmation and comment on the scope of protection being provided, Yuan Mu, a spokesperson for China’s Embassy in Washington, referred VOA to departments directly responsible, according to VOA.

The spokesperson in an emailed response said, “On the whole, China stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard the safety of international shipping lanes.”

Although the Houthis have said that ships from some countries, including China and Russia, can safely pass through the Red Sea, a British oil tanker carrying Russian oil was hit by a Houthi missile and caught fire last week.

Shipping news site oilprice.com reports that even tankers carrying Russian fuel are now avoiding the Red Sea.

About 40 per cent of trade between Europe and Asia goes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and about 12 per cent of the globe’s sea trade in oil. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US carries out multiple airstrikes against Iran-backed militias

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Indian Navy Rushes to Help Hijacked Vessel in Arabian Sea

The Indian Navy diverted a Naval Maritime Patrol aircraft on a surveillance mission in the area and its warship on the anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden to locate the MV Ruen and render assistance.

 In a major development, the Indian Navy has rushed to help a hijacked Malta-flagged ship with 18 crew on board in the Arabian Sea a couple of days ago, officials said here on Saturday.

Responding to a Mayday message from the ship, MV Ruen that at least six ‘pirates’ had boarded the vessel, the Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed platform reacted swiftly.

As the grim situation unfolded in the high seas, the IN diverted a Naval Maritime Patrol aircraft on a surveillance mission in the area and its warship on the anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden to locate the MV Ruen and render assistance.

On Friday morning, the IN aircraft overflew the hijacked ship and continuously monitored the movement of the vessel which was seen proceeding towards the Somalia coast in eastern Africa.

Simultaneously on Saturday, the IN warship deployed in the Gulf Aden intercepted the MV Ruen, and other international maritime agencies are also coordinating.

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-Top News India News

Predator Drones Bolster Indian Navy’s IOR Oversight

The two drones have been operated by the Indian Navy since November 2020 when the force got them on lease from the American firm General Atomics as part of the emergency procurement powers….reports Asian Lite News

The Predator drones of the Indian Navy have flown over 13,000 hours of missions across the Indian Ocean Region from INS Rajali, Naval Air Base in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu and helped the maritime force keep a close watch on the entire area for interest of the country.

The two drones have been operated by the Indian Navy since November 2020 when the force got them on lease from the American firm General Atomics as part of the emergency procurement powers.

“The aircraft has the capability to cover over 4,000-8,000 kms in one go and can operate for more than 30 hours in one stretch which allows them to cover the entire Indian Ocean Region in one go,” the second in command of the Navy’s drone unit Lieutenant Commander Lokesh Pandey told ANI.

Team ANI covered the operations of the most advanced drone of the force here where the Predator showcased its capabilities.

Asked about the 15 more advanced Predator MQ-9B drones that the force would be getting from the US under a tri-services deal, the first Mission Commander of the Predator drones in the country Lieutenant Commander Varsha said the new drones being planned would be equipped with weapons including air to ground missiles, bombs and submarine detection kits fitted with sonobuoys which can help detect the hidden enemy submarines.

The Predator drones can be equipped with American Hellfire missiles, bombs and other high-level sensors which can be used for carrying out strikes from long ranges against enemy targets.

The American forces have used drones to carry out countless strikes against terrorists like al-Qaeda’s Ayman al-Zawahiri, and others.

The Indian armed forces are getting 31 of these drones in total as part of a deal announced by India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US earlier this year.

The Indian Ministry of Defence also handed over the Letter of Request to the US government for the drones after which the two sides will now start holding commercial negotiations.

The 31 drones are being offered at USD 3.1 billion but the Indian side is hopeful to get a concession on the price being offered. The Navy will get 15 of the 31 drones while the Army and the Air Force will get 8 each of them.

Asked about the deployment of drones in places like Ladakh, Lieutenant Commander Lokesh said the unmanned aircraft can provide a direct live feed of the battlefield situation on the ground from high mountainous areas to the top commanders sitting in headquarters in Delhi.

Officials said the aircraft while flying missions over the Indian Ocean near the Sunda strait has on many occasions identified and alerted the movement of Chinese warships movements through the Indian areas of interest and kept track of their research and fishing vessels operating in the area.

The Indian Navy has started training more number of officers and sailors to operate the drones in their fleet and will be training them to keep the drones ready for operations as part of the contractor-owned contractor-operated deal. (By Ajit K Dubey/ANI)

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Boeing in Talks With Indian Navy on P-8I Additional Orders

The P-8I aircraft is equipped for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad area, maritime and littoral operations….reports Asian Lite News

Boeing Vice President Dan Gillian on Thursday said that discussions are ongoing with the Indian Navy about their desire to add additional P-8I aircraft to its fleet.

Speaking to ANI, Dan Gillian said, “So we’re in continued discussions with the Indian Navy about their desire to add additional P-8I aircraft. That makes sense that they want to add additional aircraft because the 12 airplanes they have are performing well each and every day, accumulating more than 40,000 hours of flight time thus far.”

“I’ll let the Indian Navy talk specifically about timelines for decisions, but we’re honoured to continue to support the fleet and talk with them about bringing enhanced capacity and capability to the P-8I fleet,” he added.

Adding that Boeing has worked extensively to grow and expand its supply chain over time in India, he said,” Today, suppliers produce content on every P-8I delivered for both Indian Navy and Air Forces and Navies around the world. Our focus as we go forward is on establishing deeper MRO on sustainment capacity in the country in the interest of self-reliance.”

“We’re already doing airframe Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) here in India on the P-8I aircraft. We have components that are done at the organic level and throughout the supply chain here in India. We want to expand on that in the interest of self-reliance for India,” he added.

“The Indian Navy is the second largest operator. India and Australia are very close in numbers, all partnered with the US Navy. And it’s part of the interconnected nature of P-8I. It’s a great aircraft for partnership and collaboration. The P-8I is designed with a very open architecture mission system with the intent of bringing capabilities on board fast, responding to threats that evolve over time. That’s how it stays at the forefront of technology for decades and decades to come,” he further said.

The P-8I aircraft is equipped for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad area, maritime and littoral operations.

Boeing India Defense Pvt Ltd (BIDPL) leads the sustainment support of the Indian Navy’s P8I fleet by providing training to Indian Navy flight crews, spare parts, ground support

equipment and field-service representative support.

Boeing said that it has promoted indigenization by working with Indian manufacturers to supply parts for the P-8I in India as well as common parts that are used by both the P-8 and the 737

family. 

BIDPL is leveraging the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub to grow indigenous capabilities in India in the areas of heavy maintenance and component repairs. P-8I represents the foremost example of BIRDS success with local capabilities being established and several planned in the future, the company said in a statement. (ANI)

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Indian Navy ships visit Dubai to take part in ‘Zayed Talwar’

The ships have entered in Dubai with the aim of cooperative engagement and maritime cooperation with regional countries….reports Asian Lite News

Two ships of the Indian Navy, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand under the command of Rear Admiral Vineet McCarty, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) arrived at Port Rashid in Dubai to conduct bilateral exercise ‘Zayed Talwar’ to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies.

The two ships are visiting Port Rashid from August 8 to August 11 and will be commanded by Captain Ashok Rao and Captain Pramod G Thomas respectively, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement on Wednesday.

“During the visit, the ships will undertake professional interactions with UAE Naval Force on multiple elements of maritime operations,” according to the statement.

They will further share best practices to enhance cooperation and strengthen ties between the two navies.

Moreover, according to the statement, this visit will boost the maritime partnership between the two navies and foster a common understanding of the security challenges in the region.

The ships have entered in Dubai with the aim of cooperative engagement and maritime cooperation with regional countries.

The Indian Navy took to Twitter and said, “India-UAE #BridgesofFriendship Indigenous guided missile destroyer #INSVisakhapatnam with FOCWF embarked & ASW stealth frigate #INSTrikand are in #Dubai as part of #IndianNavy’s ops deployment towards co-operative engagement & maritime cooperation with regional countries. @IN_WNC”

Earlier, on Tuesday, Indian Embassy in UAE took to its official Twitter and said the ships arrived at Port Rashid for a bilateral exercise with UAE Navy.

“Indian Embassy in UAE took to its official Twitter and said, “Two ships of the #IndianNavy – INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand arrived at Port Rashid, #Dubai for a bilateral exercise with #UAENavy. The exercise aims to share best practices and increase synergies between the two Navies. #IndiaUAE” the tweet said.

India and the UAE established diplomatic relations in 1972 and UAE opened its Embassy in Delhi in 1972 whereas, India opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1973, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The traditionally strong bilateral relations enjoyed by India and UAE received impetus with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to UAE on August 16-17, 2015 which marked the beginning of a new strategic partnership between the two countries.

Bilateral Defence Interaction between India and UAE has been steadily growing in accordance with other aspects of the bilateral relationship.

There have been regular high-level & functional level exchanges between the two countries. The ships of the navies of both countries have regularly made port calls to enhance bilateral defence cooperation. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Indian Navy flexes muscle with twin-carrier mega exercise

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Indian Navy flexes muscle with twin-carrier mega exercise

The Indian Navy carried one of the biggest demonstrations of its formidable capability in recent years by carrying out exercise in the Arabian Sea involving both its aircraft carriers – the INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously built INS Vikrant, along with participation of over 35 aircrafts, reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Navy showcased its formidable maritime capabilities on Saturday with a spectacular display of multi-carrier operations and the coordinated deployment of more than thirty-five aircraft in the Arabian Sea.

This demonstration of naval prowess underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain, said an official statement. It also marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s pursuit of enhancing maritime security and power projection in the Indian Ocean, and beyond, it said.

The statement said that the exercise involved the seamless integration of two Aircraft Carriers INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously built INS Vikrant- along with a diverse fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft, showcasing India’s technological expertise in the maritime domain.

The statement said, “INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, centre-pieces of the exercise, serve as ‘floating sovereign airfields’, providing a launch platform for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, MH60R, Kamov, Sea King, Chetak and ALH helicopters.”

These mobile bases can be positioned anywhere, allowing for increased mission flexibility, timely response to emerging threats and sustained air operations to safeguard our national interests across the globe, it added.

In addition, they provide our friends with an assurance that the Indian Navy is capable and ready to support our ‘collective’ security needs in the Region, the statement stated.

It also added that the successful demonstration of two-carrier battle group operations serves as a powerful testament to the pivotal role of sea-based air power in maintaining maritime superiority.

As India continues to strengthen its security apparatus, the significance of Aircraft Carriers will remain paramount in shaping the nation’s defence strategy and promoting regional stability, the statement said. (ANI)

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Navy augments capabilities with endo-atmospheric missile trial

The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into the elite club of Nations having Naval BMD capability….reports Asian Lite News

The trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile further augments Indian Navy’s combat capabilities aimed at making it a force ready to preserve, protect and promote the country’s Maritime interests, said a statement by Indian Navy.

This successful firing is a significant milestone towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, added the Indian Navy. DRDO and Indian Navy on April 21 successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal on April 21, 2023.

The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into the elite club of Nations having Naval BMD capability.

Prior to this, DRDO successfully demonstrated a land-based BMD system with the capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats, emerging from adversaries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and Industry involved in successful demonstration of ship based Ballistic Missile defence capabilities.

Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat complimented the teams involved in the design and development of the missile.

He said that the nation has achieved self-reliance in developing highly-complex network-centric anti-ballistic missile systems.

Earlier this month, Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations.

He was commissioned on January 1, 1988 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (71st Course, Delta Squadron) the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur (Bangladesh) and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He has also attended the prestigious Advance Security Cooperation Course at the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii, USA. His educational qualifications include an MPhil and MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies, Masters in Defence Studies and a BSc Degree.

A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, he has held several key appointments in his naval career including the command of torpedo recovery vessel IN TRV A72, missile boat INS Chatak, corvette INS Khukri and the destroyer INS Mumbai.

He also served as the Navigating Officer of IN ships Sharda, Ranvijay and Jyoti, and was the Direction Officer of the Sea Harrier squadron INAS 300 and the Executive Officer of the destroyer INS Delhi. His important staff appointments include Joint Director Staff Requirements, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Director Naval Operations, and Director Naval Intelligence (Ops).

He has also served as the Principal Director Naval Operations and the Principal Director Strategy, Concepts and Transformation at Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy). As a Flag Officer, he has served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence), Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor at the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area and the Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area.

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China Defence India News

India: Vice Admiral Atul Anand is new DG Naval Operations

Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations,on Saturday, April 1, 2023.(Photo:IANS/Twitter)

Vice Admiral Atul Anand is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal

Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations on Saturday.

He was commissioned on January 1, 1988 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (71st Course, Delta Squadron) the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur (Bangladesh) and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He has also attended the prestigious Advance Security Cooperation Course at the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii, USA. His educational qualifications include an MPhil and MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies, Masters in Defence Studies and a BSc Degree.

A recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, he has held several key appointments in his naval career including the command of torpedo recovery vessel IN TRV A72, missile boat INS Chatak, corvette INS Khukri and the destroyer INS Mumbai.

He also served as the Navigating Officer of IN ships Sharda, Ranvijay and Jyoti, and was the Direction Officer of the Sea Harrier squadron INAS 300 and the Executive Officer of the destroyer INS Delhi. His important staff appointments include Joint Director Staff Requirements, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Director Naval Operations, and Director Naval Intelligence (Ops).

He has also served as the Principal Director Naval Operations and the Principal Director Strategy, Concepts and Transformation at Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy). As a Flag Officer, he has served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence), Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor at the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area and the Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area.

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