An incident happened 2,600 km off the coast of India on May 17 of this year. The Bulk Carrier MV Ruen, flying the flag of Malta, was apprehended by Somali pirates, and the Indian Navy tracked down their demands for $60 million.
A group of the Indian Navy’s most elite commandos were airdropped onto Ruen after the Indian warship Kolkata used a drone to confirm the presence of pirates on board. The crew was swiftly saved by the Indian commandos, who also managed to capture 35 pirates. Although the Somali pirates’ successful takeover of the Ruen was their first on commercial shipping tankers since 2017, this was not the first time Indian forces had dealt with high-seas piracy. According to a Ministry of Defence report, the Indian Navy deployed 21 ships with 5,000 personnel. It flew 900 hours, playing a crucial role as the “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region in the 100 days leading up to March 23, 2024. In addition, it saved the lives of over 110 crew members and handled 18 incidents while guarding over 450 vessels.
In a time of globalization and interconnectedness, the Indian Navy has proven to be a strong force in the fight against piracy at sea. Due to its strategic geographical location and unwavering determination to secure shipping lanes, India’s naval operations have been extended beyond its territorial waters to counter piracy threats. This proactive approach not only protects its own maritime interests but also makes a major contribution to international efforts to uphold maritime security.
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