Indian Navy's Operation Against Pirates Highlights India's Elite Special Forces, Experts Suggest
The recent successful operation by the Indian Navy to rescue a commercial ship from pirates near Somalia's coast is a testament to India's top-notch special forces capabilities, according to experts. Delhi's military prowess in handling such missions reflects its standing among the global elite special forces.
The Indian Navy's recent successful rescue of a commercial ship from pirates off Somalia's coast demonstrates the advanced special forces capabilities that Delhi's military has developed, according to analysts.
During the operation, which lasted almost two days, the navy managed to rescue all 17 crew members of the vessel MV Ruen without any reported casualties. Additionally, dozens of pirates were apprehended and taken into custody as a result of the anti-piracy mission.
A navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter flying over 1,500 miles to airdrop marine commandos, a naval drone, a reconnaissance drone, and a P-8 surveillance jet were all part of the operation, as mentioned in the release.
John Bradford, a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs fellow, stated that the success of the operation demonstrates the Indian Navy's excellence in training, command and control, and other capabilities.
"What makes this operation remarkable is the strategic use of various assets to minimize risks. These assets include a warship, drones, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and marine commandos."
An aerial view of the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze following a Houthi missile attack at sea, March 6, 2024, in this handout photo. DVIDS/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
An aerial photo shows the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence on fire after being hit by a missile from the Houthi group on March 6, 2024. The image was released by DVIDS and Reuters. Please note that this photo was provided by a third party.
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In December last year, Somali pirates successfully hijacked the MV Ruen, making it the first vessel capture off the country's coast since 2017.
According to a report from the European Union Naval Force, Spanish, Japanese, and Indian warships monitored the Malta-flagged, Bulgarian-managed bulk carrier as it was brought into Somali territorial waters.
Last week, the Ruen, which is now being operated by a pirate crew, left Somali waters with the intention of committing acts of piracy on the high seas. The Indian Navy took action to intercept the vessel, as stated in a navy announcement on social platform X.
The destroyer INS Kolkata, which was in the region to help uphold international maritime security, utilized a ship-launched drone to verify that the Ruen was indeed being controlled by armed pirates, according to the Indian statement.
A helicopter flies over the commercial vessel MV Ruen during an Indian military anti-piracy operation last weekend.
A helicopter flies over the commercial vessel MV Ruen during an Indian military anti-piracy operation last weekend.
The Ministry of Defence/PIB reported that after the pirates destroyed the drone with their gunfire and targeted the Indian warship Kolkata, the Kolkata retaliated by firing at the pirate ship Ruen. This action disabled the steering and navigation systems of the Ruen, according to the statement.
The Kolkata requested the pirates to surrender. In response, Indian commandos parachuted in after a 10-hour flight from India, as reported by the air force on X. Rafts were also dropped from the large transport into the ocean for marines to reach the Ruen.
The display of strength by the Indian forces was overwhelming for the pirates.
The Indian Navy's efforts over the past 40 hours have led to the surrender of all 35 Somali pirates, as stated by the navy. Bulgarian leaders, such as President Rumen Radev, expressed their gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their role in the operation.
Radev expressed his sincere gratitude to Modi for the Navy's courageous rescue of the hijacked Bulgarian ship 'Ruen' and its crew, which included 7 Bulgarian citizens.
Yemeni Houthi rebels stormed the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea on 19 November 2023 and took the vessel's international crew of seafarers as hostage.
Yemeni Houthi rebels stormed the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea on 19 November 2023 and took the vessel's international crew of seafarers as hostage.
Reuters
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Analyst Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, praised the professionalism of the Indian Navy. He specifically mentioned Delhi’s marine commando force, MARCOS, and noted that they have gained valuable knowledge from their US and British counterparts.
Schuster emphasized that the Indian Navy is a well-trained and disciplined professional force.
Marcos undergoes almost eight months of training inspired by Britain's SAS. He mentioned that the selection process is very rigorous, with only about 10% to 15% of candidates successfully completing the training.
Analysts observed that the Indian Navy has a long history of conducting anti-piracy operations for over 20 years. Given the volatile security conditions in one of the busiest shipping lanes globally, it is highly probable that they will be deployed for such missions again.
In a media briefing in January, a spokesperson from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the importance of maritime security in the region.
According to the official spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal, the ongoing activities in the region are a cause for concern as they directly impact India's economic interests.
“We are consistently monitoring the situation. Our naval forces, naval vessels are engaged in ensuring the safety of our commercial vessels,” Jaiswal said.
Editor's P/S:
The Indian Navy's successful anti-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia highlights its growing capabilities and professionalism. The operation, which involved a wide range of assets, from drones to marine commandos, demonstrates the Indian Navy's ability to project power and protect its interests in the region. The operation also underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating piracy, as the Indian Navy worked closely with other nations to secure the release of the MV Ruen and its crew.
The operation is also a testament to the dedication and training of the Indian Navy's personnel. The marine commandos, known as MARCOS, are a highly trained and disciplined force that has gained valuable experience from their counterparts in the United States and the United Kingdom. The operation also showcased the Indian Navy's ability to operate in a complex and challenging environment, as the pirates were well-armed and had taken control of the vessel. The Indian Navy's success in this operation is a clear sign of its growing capabilities and its commitment to protecting India's interests in the region.
