The same day, a suspected drone strike occurred in the Southern Red Sea near the commercial crude oil tanker MV Sai Baba, which was headed for India.
Digital Desk: In light of recent attacks on merchant vessels, the Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its surveillance capabilities in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden by sending frontline destroyers and frigates.
A drone attack off the west coast of India on December 23 targeted the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MV Chem Pluto, which had 21 Indian crew members on board. The event raised security worries because it coincided with attacks on other commercial ships by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists.
The same day, a suspected drone strike occurred in the Southern Red Sea near the commercial crude oil tanker MV Sai Baba, which was headed for India.
"The last few weeks have witnessed increased maritime security incidents on merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Central/ North Arabian Sea," stated the Navy.
Additionally, it mentioned a recent episode of piracy on board the merchant ship MV Ruen, which occurred about 700 nautical miles off the coast of India.
"The piracy incident on MV Ruen, approximately 700 nautical miles from the Indian coast, and recent drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, approximately 220 nautical miles South West of Porbandar, indicate a shift in maritime incidents closer to Indian EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)," the Navy stated in a statement.
"In response to these incidents, the Indian Navy has substantially enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in Central/North Arabian Sea and augmented force levels," added the statement.
"Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and help merchant vessels in case of any incident," said the Navy.
According to the statement, aerial surveillance has been improved to have a comprehensive understanding of the maritime domain via long-range maritime patrol aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft.
According to the statement, the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard are working closely together to ensure efficient EEZ surveillance.
"In close collaboration with national maritime agencies, the Indian Navy is keeping a careful eye on the overall situation. The Indian Navy is still dedicated to making sure that merchant ships in the area are safe," the statement stated.
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