The News Freedom
Mumbai, December 31
In response to a recent spate of maritime attacks near its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Indian Navy has significantly increased its surveillance efforts in the central and northern Arabian Sea. The heightened alert follows incidents like the piracy attack on the MV Ruen 700 nautical miles off the Indian coast and the drone attack on the MV Chem Pluto 220 miles southwest of Porbandar, indicating a potential shift in piracy activity closer to India’s maritime borders.
“The Indian Navy has substantially enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in Central/ North Arabian Sea and augmented force levels,” according to an official statement.
Task groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to ensure security and provide assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident. Additionally, aerial surveillance using long-range maritime patrol aircraft and remotely piloted drones (RPAs) has been intensified to achieve complete maritime domain awareness.
The statement emphasized the Navy’s close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, particularly for effective surveillance within the EEZ.
“The overall situation is being closely monitored by Indian Navy in coordination with national maritime agencies,” the statement said, reiterating the Navy’s commitment to securing merchant shipping in the region.