NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in central as well as northern parts of Arabian Sea.
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This comes amid the rising incidents of attacks on merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and central/north Arabian Sea.
Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have also been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident.
In addition, the Navy is working in close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard.
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“Aerial surveillance by long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) has been enhanced to have complete maritime domain awareness.
Towards effective surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Indian Navy is operating in close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard,” it said on Saturday.
The Navy said that the piracy incident on MV Ruen (approximately 700 nautical miles from the Indian coast) and the recent drone attack on MV Chem Pluto (approximately 220 nautical miles south west of Porbandar) indicates a shift in maritime incidents closer to Indian EEZ.
“The overall situation is being closely monitored by the Indian Navy in coordination with national maritime agencies. Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region,” it added.
