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Indian Navy Anti-Piracy Efforts

In the previous case they were pirates, but unfortunately the Navy did not realize that the boat was not a pirate vessel, but a trawler which was hijacked by pirates (it seems that it was not possible to make that distinction because the pirates used fishing trawlers as well)


Keeping piracy in control is vital for the Indian economy, because those shipping lanes are used by the majority of ships heading for Indian ports. It would be a big blow to India if those waters were considered unsafe.

There is a difference between "invaders" and "infiltrators". The latter is tackled by the coast-guard, the former by the navy.

OK alright, Lets see how good Policing Indian Navy can do in Somali waters. wish you best of Luck.
 
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If you guys really want to get rid of the pirates for good, I would suggest hitting them while they are on land preferably from the air. Their base of operations are well known (north of Somalia) they must be denied access to the sea, finish them on land and get it over with. Problem is WHO is going to go after them on land? Ethiopia? Unlikely. Also once you have destroyed one base camp or coastal town they will regroup and find another. What needs to be done is propping up a legitimate Somali government who is capable of employing and feeding it's own people. They are self employed businessmen in their view, ways of making money are limited to robbery.
 
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Press Release: INS Mysore is currently in the Gulf of Aden for Anti-Piracy Patrol Operations which are being conducted under the control of the Western Naval Command. Whilst escorting merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the ship received a distress call on MMB Channel 16 from MV Gibe (Ethiopian Flag) at about 1100 hours on 13 Dec 08. MV Gibe reported that she was under attack by two boats closing her and firing small arms. MV Gibe opened retaliatory fire with small arms that were held onboard the vessel. The position reported by the merchant vessel was 13 nautical miles from Mysore at that time. The ship altered course to close MV Gibe and also launched her integral armed helicopter.


On sighting the helicopter and Mysore, the boats disengaged from MV Gibe and attempted escape. Mysore closed the vessels and ordered them to stop. The larger boat was a dhow was of green colour and 8-10m in length. It had taken the second smaller boat (a skiff) under tow. Subsequently, the name of the dhow was identified as 'Salahaddin', Hull No 758(2).


The dhow was boarded at 1230h by the ship's Marine Commandos and a search carried out. 23 personnel (12 Somali and 11 Yemeni) surrendered on boarding. The search of dhow revealed a substantial cache of arms and equipment, including seven AK-47 and three other automatic rifles, along with thirteen loaded magazines; a rocket-propelled grenade-launcher along with rockets, cartridges and grenades; as many as three Outboard Motors (OBMs), a GPS Receiver, etcetera. The personnel, arms, ammunition and equipment have been taken into custody by INS Mysore and will be handed over to appropriate authorities ashore and the ship will return to her patrol-duties.

LiveFist: Photos: INS Mysore arrests 23 pirates
 
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I am surprised at how the Indian's claims of self defense by INS Tabar against AK-47 or maximum RPG loaded pirates :-

Let's see the characteristics of IN Tabar :-

Talwar {Krivak III} Class

Vessel Type: Guided Missile Frigate, Type 1135.6

Names & Pennant Numbers with commission dates:
INS Talwar F40; Laid Down - 10 March 1999, Launched - 12 May 2000, Commissioned - 18 June 2003.
INS Trishul F43; Laid Down - 24 Sept 1999, Launched - 24 Nov 2000, Commissioned - 25 June 2003.
INS Tabar F44; Laid Down - 26 May 2000, Launched - 25 May 2001, Commissioned - 19 April 2004.

Structure: The Severnoye (Northern) Design Bureau developed the Project 1135.6 vessel using an earlier Project 1135.1 design, which dated back to the early 1980s. The extensive scope of redesign and re-engineering for these vessels has realised a multipurpose surface combatant of about 4,000 ton displacement (this increase being attributed to additional weapon systems and the replacement of light alloys with steel), tailored to meet the Indian Navy's specific mission and performance requirements.

The ship's redesigned topside & hull has considerably reduced radar cross-section and this feature alone, clearly separates the Project 1135.6 from its predecessors. While the superstructure sides are sloped and relatively clean, the very cluttered topside of the ship cannot be remotely described as having any signature reducing features. However, these frigates will be the first Indian Navy warships to incorporate some stealth features and a vertical launch missile system. The ship's hull is characterised by outward flare and tumblehome, while the superstructure (which forms a continuous junction with the hull) has a large fixed tumblehome angle.

Displacement: 3620 tons - standard.
....................4035 tons - full load.

Dimensions: Length - 124.8 metres.
.................Beam - 15.2 metres.
.................Draught - 4.5 metres.

Main Machinery: Features the Zorya/Mashproekt M7N.1E gas turbine plant which comprises of 2 x DS-71 cruise turbines and 2 x DT-59 boost turbines in two engine rooms.

• The cruising component consists of two DS-71 gas-turbine engines (each rated at 9000 hp, forward running, and 1.500 hp in reverse), two cruising RO63 two-speed gearboxes and one cruising R1063 auxiliary (cross-connected) gearbox which makes it possible to use any of the cruising engines to drive both propeller shafts. Ratings at ISA + 15 air temperature.

• A boost component with two DT-59.1 gas-turbine engines (each rated at 19,500 hp, forward running, and 4500 hp in reverse) and two RO58 single-speed reduction gearboxes. Ratings at ISA + 15 air temperature.

All the engines & gearboxes are referred to as L (Levyy) and P (Pravyy) sets except for the R1063 auxiliary (cross connection) gearbox. In Russian, Levyy means Left and Pravyy means Right. So, there would be a DS71L, RO63L, and DS71P, RO63P and so on. Mashproekt Scientific & Production Enterprise of Ukraine manufactures the Zorya-designed gas turbines and reduction gears. The basic specifications of marine gas turbine units (GTU) are;

GTU (Gas Turbine) starting time: 120-180 seconds.
Time to accelerate from idle running mode to rated power mode: 300 seconds.
Time to decelerate from rated power mode to idle running mode: 40-70 seconds.
Full reverse time: 70-120 seconds.
MTBO (Mean Time Between Overhauls) for engines: 20,000 to 30,000 hours.
MTBO (Mean Time Between Overhauls) for reduction gears: 50,000 to 60,000 hours.
Characteristics of Gas Turbines for the M7N.1 power plant

Type
Power
(hp)
Efficiency (%)
Output
(RPM)
Compressor Type
Dimensions (LxWxH) in meters
Weight
(Tons)

DS-71
9000 fwd
1500 rev
29-31
5130
Axial flow, 2 spool, 8 + 9 stages. Comp Ratio = 16.6:1
3.4 x 1.7 x 2.4
3.7

DT-59
19,500 fwd 4500 rev
28
3500
Axial flow, 2 spool, 7 + 9 stages. Comp Ratio = 12.7:1
6.6 x 2.5 x 3.1
14


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Gearbox Data

Type
Power
(hp)
Reduction
Ratio
Output
(RPM)
Dimensions (LxWxH) in meters
Weight
(Tons)

RO58 19500 12.76 300 3.24 x 2.8 x 2.6 19
RO63
(2 speed) 8500 20.88/13.95 220/300 3.3 x 2.3 x 2.8 16
R1063 4250 Cross Connection 1.0 x 1.92 x 1.05 3

Electrical Power: Provided by four 1 MW Wartsila WCM-1000 generator sets with Cummins KTA50G3 engines and Kirloskar 1MV AC generators. These are not mounted in acoustic enclosures like the Project 17 Class frigates. The contract for the generators was signed with Wartsila Denmark. An integrated platform control system, developed by the Aurora Research and Production Association, monitors and manages propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery, steering and stabilisation, and electrical power distribution. Based on a local-area network (LAN), its distributed system architecture uses standardised VME modules.

Maximum Speed: 30 knots.

Maximum Range: 4850 miles at 14 knots.
.......................1600 miles at 30 knots.

Maximum Sea Endurance: 30 days.

Complement: 180 (incl. 18 officers)

Radar: Surface Search; One 3Ts-25E Garpun-B radar at I-band frequency, using both active and passive channels, provides long-range surface target designation. One MR-212/201-1 radar at I-band frequency is used for navigation and a separate Kelvin Hughes Nucleus-2 6000A radar set is used for short-range navigation and surface surveillance. Also fitted with a Ladoga-ME-11356 inertial navigation and stabilisation suite supplied by Elektropribor.

Air/Surface Search; One Fregat M2EM (NATO: Top Plate) 3D circular scan radar at E-band frequency, provides target indication to the Shtil-1 missile system. Featuring continuous electronically scanned arrays, the radar rotates at 12 or 6 rpm and has an instrumented range to 300 km.

Fire Control; Features a Ratep JSC 5P-10E Puma fire control system, comprising of a phased array and target tracking radar along with laser and TV devices. The system - fitted above the bridge deck - features in-flight course correction updates via data links, has a maximum detection range of 60 km, operates autonomously and is capable of automatically locking on to four targets and tracking them.

Sonar: Some reports indicate that the BEL APSOH (Advanced Panoramic Sonar Hull) hull-mounted sonar is fitted on the vessels. The APSOH sonar performs active ranging, passive listening, auto tracking of targets and classification. Other reports indicate that the BEL HUMSA (Hull Mounted Sonar Array) sonar is fitted. The HUMSA is a panoramic medium-range active/passive sonar system developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL).

Information released from the Severnoye Design Bureau (SDB) indicate that French towed array sonars (TAS) are also fitted. This is very plausible given that many Indian Navy ships now use French TAS, however INS Talwar shows no signs of such a system. The vessel may also have a SSN-137 VDS (Variable Depth Sonar), providing active search with medium frequency.

Weapons: In the main strike role, an eight-cell KBSM 3S14E vertical missile launcher is fitted, which accommodates the Klub-N ASCM. The Agat Research and Production Enterprise has supplied the 3R14N-11356 shipborne fire-control system associated with Klub-N. Jane's Defence Weekly reported in April 2004, that IN sources indicated that INS Tabar would be the first vessel in the Talwar series to be armed with the supersonic BrahMos (PJ-10) ASCM, which DRDO of India and NPO Mashinostroyeniya of Russia, have co-developed. The other two vessels (Talwar and Trishul) will also subsequently be equipped with the BrahMos ASCM.

In the air defence role, a single 3S-90 missile launcher is fitted forward of the bridge and is armed with the Shtil-1 SAM system. The system comprises of the 9M317 (SA-N-11, navalised SA-17) missile and 24 such missiles are carried in a below-decks magazine. Guidance and target illumination for these missiles is provided by four MR-90 Orekh (NATO: Front Dome) radars, which are connected to a command and control post.

Manufactured by the Dolgoprudny Research and Production Enterprise, the 9M317 missile uses a combination of inertial guidance and semi-active radar homing (the 70 kg blast fragmentation warhead is triggered by a radar proximity fuze) to its maximum range of 45 km. The missile can engage the following targets irrespective of the intensive jamming and minimal altitude; tactical ballistic missiles; aircraft manoeuvring at acceleration up to 12 g; cruise and antiradar missiles; helicopter gun ships; remotely piloted aircraft; anti-ship missiles; and radar-contrast water-borne and ground targets. The missile's control system and warhead can be adjusted to a specific target (ballistic, aerodynamic, small-size, water-borne, ground, helicopter) following target recognition, which increases hit probability. Eight Igla-1E (SA-16) portable air defence missiles are also carried.

One 100mm A-190(E) gun, for use against ship and shore based targets, is fitted forward. The A-190(E) uses a lightweight gun mount with an automatic gun and fuze setter. The mounting is fed from separate port and starboard magazines and uses three different rounds: a high-explosive shell with an impact fuze; an anti-aircraft shell using an electronic fuze; and an inert practice round. An automatic control and monitoring system prepares the gun for firing, selects the appropriate ammunition, conducts continuous diagnostics and computes firing corrections. Fire control is provided by the 5P-10E Puma FCS. The gun can fire 60 rounds a minute out to a range of 8.2n miles; 15 km. Weight of each shell is at 16 kg.

The A-190(E) gun is based on innovative technological and layout solutions, which features relatively low weight-size characteristics. The gun leads to a more than three-fold increase in the combat effectiveness of surface combatants, as compared to those fitted with the AK-176M (fitted in the Khukri Class), owing to: increase in the range of fire (roughly twofold); 1.8 times growth in the lethality of projectiles at a target; doubled accuracy of fire; and reduced reaction time as a result of automated operations, such as preparation of the gun for firing, selection of ammunition, monitoring of mechanisms' operation during firing, and display of data on the operator's monitor.

The A-190(E) gun is also superior to the AK-100 gun (fitted in the Delhi Class) in terms of basic performance characteristics: the rate of fire (approximately 1.5 times); accuracy (about three times); weight; dimensions; and operating characteristics. The gun also features higher automation of fire preparation and control and employs advanced guided and rocket-assisted long-range and enhanced-lethality projectiles fitted with dual-mode impact / proximity fuses set to operate over the target area. Together with the use of the muzzle velocity meter, it is designed to produce ever increased combat capability of the system in fire against sea- and shore-based point and area targets. In addition, the gun hull features stealth technology to minimize the radar signature of a ship.

For the CIWS (Close In Weapon System) role, two Kashtan Air Defence Gun/Missile Systems are used.

Features the RPK-8 system, which uses a 12 barrelled RBU-6000 ASW launcher to fire the 212mm 90R anti-submarine missile or RGB-60 depth charges. The firing range is from 600 to 4300 metres, and the depth of engagement is up to 1000 metres. Two twin 533mm DTA-53-11356 fixed torpedo tube launchers are fitted amidships and fire the SET-65E/53-65KE torpedoes. The Purga anti-submarine fire-control system - a product of the Granit Central Scientific Institute - provides control for both the RBU-6000 and DTA-53 launchers.

Combat Data System: The Trebovaniye-M combat information and control platform is a is a fully distributed combat management system produced by the Meridian Research and Production Enterprise JSC. The system is an advanced up-to-date information acquisition/processing and target designation data transmission facility. It controls all platforms of attack and defence weapons, independently generates combat missions based on situation analysis, determines optimal number of missile firings, displays information on the state of ship-borne weaponry and transmits data to protection systems. It is capable of processing information coming simultaneously from 250 sources.

Interconnected via an Ethernet LAN, Trebovaniye-M features eight T-171 full-colour operator workstations (with 18-inch colour flat panel displays) and three central T-162 servers. Individual items of combat system equipment interface to Trebovaniye-M via T-119- and T-190-series bus interface units. Raw radar data is received through a T-181 data reception unit. According to the Meridian Research and Production Enterprise, the hardware is based on ruggedised industry-standard processing boards supplied by Octagon Systems. Applications are coded in C++, running under the QNX real-time operating system.

Helicopter Capacity: One Ka-28 Helix-A ASW helicopter or one Ka-31 Helix-B AEW helicopter. The vessel can also embark the navalised variant of the indigenous HAL Dhruv.

Countermeasures: The Type 1135.6 frigate features the Russian-made TK-25E-5 integrated electronic warfare suite, which comprises of a wideband electronic support measures system that has antenna arrays mounted in the superstructure and a multimode jammer. Four KT-216 decoy launchers, forming part of the PK-10 system, are fitted for soft-kill defence. A total of 120 120mm chaff and infrared decoy rounds are carried on board. A local ESM system featuring the BEL Ajanta system could also be on board.
Comments: On 17 November 1997, Russia and India signed a USD $1 billion contract, for three Krivak III Class multi-purpose frigates. The Indian Navy wanted to fill the gap created by the decommissioning of the Leander Class frigates and until the Project 17 Class frigates enter service. After the signing of the contract, Severnoye Design Bureau began a detail design layout and the shipbuilder, Baltisky Zavod of St. Petersburg began preparations for their construction. The project involved around 130 suppliers from Russia, India, Britain, Germany, Denmark, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries including over 30 St. Petersburg-based naval design organizations and institutes. VT Halmatic of the UK has supplied a pair of Pacific 22 Mk.I rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), for use as general ship boats. These RIBs are designed primarily for ASW warfare and for the air defence of naval task forces. There are also a considerable number of Indian component suppliers. According to the original contract schedule, the Talwar was intended for handover in May 2002, with the Trishul to follow in November that year and the Tabar being accepted in May 2003.

The Talwar commenced engine sea trials in November 2001 and immediately ran into major problems with the machinery, hull, equipment integration and weapons systems. Media reports indicated that as of December 2002, the Shtil-1 SAM system had been unable to hit any airborne targets during trial firings. This was due to integration problems between the combat management and weapons systems. This resulted in the Indian Navy not taking delivery of the vessel and the commissioning crew was flown back to India because of the extent of problems, and the time needed to fix them. This had set back the scheduled delivery dates very considerably - from May 2002 to mid-2003 for the Talwar. The first vessel was finally handed over to the Indian Navy in St. Petersburg in a formal commissioning ceremony on 18 June 2003, after all problems were identified and remedied. INS Talwar arrived home at Mumbai's Naval DY on 12 August 2003, after a long journey from St. Petersburg. Her sister ships also charted a similar route home, with INS Trishul and INS Tabar arriving in Mumbai on 23 September 2003 and 31 July 2004 respectively. In December 2005, INS Trishul collided with a commercial ship, Ambuja Laxmi, outside the Mumbai harbour. In May 2006, INS Talwar accidentally dropped its anchor on its own sonar dome.

The crest of a ship, akin to the 'Coat of Arms' of the Army or an 'Insignia' of the Air Force, epitomises the spirit and ethos of the ship. Talwar was the most commonly used sword in Indian martial history. The blades varied in size, curvature and temper. According to Gatka - the Shastra from ancient Indian literature - Talwar is one of the Ten Weapons of the Gods. In lore, the Gods (embodying all that is Good) used these weapons in their numerous fights with the demons or 'Asuras' (embodying all that is evil). Talwar proved to be the foremost of them all and has been held in great esteem ever since. Through the ages Talwar has been the pride of India's many warrior classes, notable among them being the Rajputs, Sikhs and Marathas. "They are as careful of their swords and take as much pains to keep them in order as the Japanese do with their samurai," a British historian recorded. It is a common saying that a really objectionable act is as disgraceful as having a blunt sword. To the Indian Navy, the new Talwar represents the cutting edge of technology in stealth, reach and punch.

The word Trishul finds its origin from the Sanskrit word 'Tri' meaning three and 'Shul' meaning a spiked weapon. Consequently, this three-edged spiked weapon resembles a trident. Indian mythology has it that the Trishul was a powerful and all pervasive weapon of the Lord Shiva, that was effectively used by him to ward off evil. The Trishul as a weapon has been used ever since then to symbolise the victory of truth and righteousness over evil. According to mythology, surviving the onslaught of the Trishul is impossible. The crest of the ship depicts a strong arm rising out from under the sea, holding the powerful Trident. The mythological truth of this feared weapon, when extended to the INS Trishul makes the ship powerful in all three dimensions - air, surface and sub-surface. A warship that will be feared for her lethality and brutal power. The last vessel in the series is called Tabar - means Battle Axe in Sanskrit - and is aptly named for role, as she serves as an all-powerful weapon platform of the sea. The crest of the ship depicts a pair of battle axes, in a 'X' layout, rising out from under the sea.
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Geez .. such a hightec frigate against a tawler loaded with AK-47 & RPG .. & you call it self defense .. I mean even after the sinking the ship did not send it's helos to check for survivors ! or even confirm if it was really the Mother ship ! Again from where did this word "mothership" came from !
 
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If you guys really want to get rid of the pirates for good, I would suggest hitting them while they are on land preferably from the air. Their base of operations are well known (north of Somalia) they must be denied access to the sea, finish them on land and get it over with. Problem is WHO is going to go after them on land? Ethiopia? Unlikely. Also once you have destroyed one base camp or coastal town they will regroup and find another. What needs to be done is propping up a legitimate Somali government who is capable of employing and feeding it's own people. They are self employed businessmen in their view, ways of making money are limited to robbery.

US already got its hands burned in Somalia. They don't want more trouble there. If they are not going, who will dare? And air strikes are not feasible, they will effect normal people. The puppet government of US is very weak. The Union of Islamic Courts which ran a successful government before the present one is trying to maintain low profile before they strike. They need to survive first from the Ethiopian forces.:police:

US is suffering from a complex there. They cannot allow the Isamic Courts rule because they will be out of US control. And the puppet government is highly unpopular. If only US forces Ethiopia to let the Union of Islamic Courts take over, we can hope stability and prosperity in the country and therefore decline of piracy. But this is unlikely to happen. Actually the country is still in dark, not much of what is going inside is known.

Please report any inaccuracies with a quote and source.
 
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And they failed to intercept possible rubber boats coming from Pakistan thus preventing the Mumbai drama?
In their own waters?
 
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Off course they are not mutually exclusive for Indian Navy at least as Indian Navy is large enough to handle both the jobs simaltanoulsy. And as i said before i hope they are the pirates this time and they don't turn out to be some one else as in the previous case.

Well if i am not wrong Coastal Protection from foreign invaders is a job of the navy and this is what i meant and this is what Indian Navy wanted during Exercise named "Defence of Gujrat"

There is just one ship patrolling Gulf of Aden, and IN has more than 1 ship.
 
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Gr8 job

The New Straits Times Online......

Malaysian and Saudi navy copters scare off pirates


The Indian tanker ‘Abul Kalam Azad’ issued a distress signal when the pirates fired shots at it in the Gulf of Aden. This picture was taken from the Royal Malaysian Navy helicopter.


KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia once again charged to the rescue of a cargo-laden ship in the pirate-plagued Gulf of Aden.
Yesterday, less than two weeks after rescuing a Chinese vessel from being plundered, the Malaysian navy saved an Indian tanker, MT Abul Kalam Azad, from a similar fate.

The 92,000-tonne vessel was sailing in the gulf at 11.37am (Malaysian time) when it was attacked by pirates in two skifs.

One of the boats had seven men in it, all armed with machine guns. They unleashed a barrage of fire at the bridge and accommodation area of the ship. They also tried to board it, all the while keeping up the attack.

However, the ship began taking evasive measures and increased speed to the maximum. This was also when it issued a distress signal, which was picked up by Malaysian navy support ship KD Sri Indera Sakti about 15 nautical miles away.
Upon receiving the signal, commanding officer Capt Mohamad Adib Abdul Samad despatched a helicopter, reaching the tanker in less than 10 minutes.

The helicopter was outfitted with a general purpose machine gun and also a sniper from the Paskal naval commando unit.

The Malaysian helicopter was joined by a Dauphine-type helicopter of the Saudi Arabian navy, effectively scaring off the pirates.

The captain of the Abul Kalam Azad had initially requested to join the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation convoy, escorted by the Sri Indera Sakti, but later accepted the offer from a Saudi Arabian naval ship to escort it to its destination.

International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre head Noel Choong said the crew of the Abul Kalam Azad reported seeing the pirates in military-style garb.

However, asked if this could mean that the Somali military was involved in piracy, he was non-committal.

"It is hard to say because this is the first time we are hearing such a report."

Choong said the increase in naval activity in the Gulf of Aden was making piracy increasingly difficult and this was causing pirates to become more desperate to get their hands on any ships they could.

"We wish to remind all ships to keep strict visual and radar watch because it is the only way they can escape."

Asked if the gloomy global economic forecast for this year would result in an increase in piracy, he said it would not make much difference in African waters.

"Somalia, for example, is already poor and in bad shape. There is no deterrent to pirates there and, as long as there is no deterrent, attacks will increase anyway.

"However, in the Straits of Malacca, there are many poor people who will be affected badly. We don't know if it will be as bad as in 1997 (when piracy was rampant in the Straits of Malacca), but we can see that Indonesia is already stepping up patrols now."

Choong urged the authorities to beef up patrols, especially in the Straits of Malacca, the South China Sea and in Bangladeshi and Indonesian waters.
 
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India sends second warship to Gulf of Aden to fight pirates- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

India sends second warship to Gulf of Aden to fight pirates
8 Feb 2009, 1731 hrs IST, IANS

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has sent warship INS Tabar to the Gulf of Aden to conduct anti-piracy operations, an official source said here on Sunday. The navy's guided missile frigate INS Beas is already in the region patrolling the seas against pirates. "INS Tabar has sailed from Mumbai to the Gulf of Aden to conduct patrolling," a senior navy official told IANS requesting anonymity.

The Gulf of Aden have turned extremely dangerous for commercial ships following attacks by Somalia-based pirates. India is among several countries, including the US, Britain, France, Iran, South Korea and China, who have sent warships to patrol the seas to prevent attacks.

INS Tabar, one of the frontline warships of the navy, last year was successful in repulsing pirate attacks and sinking one of the pirates' "mother ship".

The Indian Navy had recently scaled down its anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The navy replaced its Delhi class missile-guided destroyer INS Mysore by a smaller INS Beas due to operational engagements back home.

The move has come days after reports appeared in the Chinese media that an Indian submarine and two Chinese warships, on anti-piracy mission in the region, were "locked in a tense standoff for at least an hour" after which the Indian submarine was forced to surface.

The Indian Navy had, however, said that none of its submarines was there.
 
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Indian Naval Air Base in Oman

In its bid to tackle the problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, India is to set up a naval air base in Muscat, and the Omanese authorities are believed to have cleared India’s proposal in this regard. This is not surprising, according to Capt. P.V.K. Mohan, Chairman of National Shipping Board. After all, India took the lead in meeting the challenge thrown up by the piracy in that region......
the rest is the same as above

I am surprised at how the Indian's claims of self defense by INS Tabar against AK-47 or maximum RPG loaded pirates :-

Care to also take a look at the specs of the destroyers China has sent for anti-piracy patrol
 
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UN empowers land operations against Somali pirates

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution for the first time authorizing international land operations against audacious, armed pirates sheltering in Somalia.

In this photograph released by the Indian Navy, Indian Marine Commandos board a suspected pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden December 13. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution for the first time authorizing international land operations against audacious, armed pirates sheltering in Somalia.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed the adoption Tuesday of the US resolution saying it sent a "strong signal to combat the scourge of piracy" and stressed the need "to end the impunity of Somali pirates."

The text, co-sponsored by Belgium, France, Greece, Liberia and South Korea, gives those nations already involved in battling pirates off Somalia a one-year mandate to act against the brigands inside the country.

Resolution 1851 authorizes the states to "take all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia" to suppress "acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea."

However, to overcome objections from countries such as Indonesia an earlier reference in the text to "ashore" or "including in its (Somalia) airspace" was dropped.

Increasingly emboldened, pirates have carried out more than 100 attacks in the key shipping lanes of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean since the start of this year.

Last month, they captured the world's attention when they hijacked the Saudi-owned super-tanker Sirius Star, carrying two million barrels of crude oil, and demanded a 25-million dollar ransom for the boat and its crew.

It is one of about 17 ships, including an arms-laden Ukrainian cargo vessel, currently in pirate hands.

Rice told the high-profile UN ministerial session that the US intended to work with partners to set up a contact group on Somali piracy, adding the insecurity and lawlessness in the Horn of Africa nation had to be urgently addressed.

Tuesday's resolution was the fourth approved by the council since June to combat the rampant piracy off Somalia's coast. And unlike previous resolutions, the current text empowers states combating piracy to conduct operations on land in Somalia.

But the Pentagon warned there were "practical challenges" to taking such action inside Somalia.

"We welcome the passing of the resolution. We will continue to work with our allies and partners to address this troublesome problem," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman.

He pointed out that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates had raised "some of the practical challenges associated with combating this illegal activity."

Rice also told the UN session attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Chinese deputy foreign minister He Yafei and UN chief Ban Ki-moon, that it was time "to authorize a UN peacekeeping operation" in Somalia.

Ethiopian troops, who intervened in Somalia in 2006 to prop up the weak transitional government, will be withdrawn early next month, leaving the ill-equipped and under-strength 3,400-strong African Union force on its own to face a resurgent Islamic rebellion.

UN chief Ban welcomed the council's actions to combat Somali piracy and said he would submit recommendations "on ways to ensure the long-term security of international navigation off the coast of Somalia."

But he stressed the need to address the country's broader security challenge, saying the most appropriate response was "a multinational force (MNF), rather than a typical peacekeeping operation."

Ban said he had approached 50 countries and three international organizations for contributions to such a force.

Indonesia's UN Ambassador Marty Natalegawa meanwhile made clear that "the fight against piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia needs to be undertaken in full compliance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

Ban added the council could explore the possibility of setting up a maritime task force or adding to the current anti-piracy operations "a quick reaction component."

NATO has also dispatched naval forces to the region, joining other national navies in place, but increasingly bold and well-equipped pirates have continued their attacks.
Bangkok Post : UN empowers land operations against Somali pirates
 
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Indian Navy ship foils piracy bid near Seychelles, nine arrested


New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) After successfully combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden and indicating its growing footprint in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy has foiled a piracy bid off the island nation of the Seychelles and arrested nine pirates, an official said.

'Our ship INS Nirdeshak, along with a French warship and Spanish frigate, intercepted and arrested nine pirates while they were trying to hijack Italian cruise liner MS Melody. This incident highlights the growing footprint of the Indian Navy in a wider area,' a senior naval official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The operation took place Sunday when MS Melody came under attack off northern Seychelles.

'A Chetak helicopter was launched after coordinating with the French Navy, which also had some reconnaissance aircraft in the area. The pirates will be handed over to the Seychelles and the ship will return to its patrolling area,' the official added.

Pirates armed with automatic rifles had attacked the cruise ship with 991 passengers and 536 crew on board Saturday evening, but MS Melody, owned by Italy's MSC Crociere SA, was able to fend them off, with its security personnel returning fire. The vessel simultaneously sent out an SOS, leading to the international response.

INS Nirdeshak, essentially a hydrographic survey vessel, is equipped with a Chetak helicopter and interceptor boats for undertaking anti-piracy missions. It also has a medium 40mm Bofors gun on board. It has made several visits to the Seychelles in the past to carry out hydrographic surveys.

While it continues its operations in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, the Indian Navy is now also patrolling the waters in the exclusive economic zone off the Seychelles after the island nation asked for assistance.

This was in the wake of reports that Somali pirates, after being chased away by the international forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden, had shifted their focus and were operating less than 200 nautical miles north of Mahe, the largest island in the Seychelles chain.

The Indian Navy, meanwhile, has also completed the refit of the Coast Guard ship Topaz that had been gifted to the Seychelles in 2005.

'The refit of the Topaz is over and the ship will be handed over to the Seychelles on Thursday,' the official added.


Indian Navy ship foils piracy bid near Seychelles, nine arrested - Yahoo! India News
 
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French, Indian Naval ships rescue 14-member Indian crew

NEW DELHI: A 14-member Indian crew on board a country-made vessel hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden have been rescued in a joint operation by Indian and French warships, the Navy said on Thursday.

The combined action by the two friendly navies patrolling the pirate-infested waters had led to the seven sea brigands, who were holding the crew at gun point, to release the Indians without any ransom being paid and to abandon the dhow.

The proactive action took place near Bab el Mandeb on Wednesday after the French warship had thwarted the sea brigands' attempts to capture a Liberian merchant vessel A Elephant by using the hijacked Indian dhow as a mother ship, a Navy spokesperson said here.

The dhow was in the control of the pirates since July 10 when they had taken it forcibly after firing at it with their AK-47 assault rifles and threating to fire rocket propelled grenades at the vessel 10 nautical miles off Boosaaso in Puntland, Somalia.
The dhow was on its way to Dubai after off-loading cargo at a Somali harbour when the pirates had attacked it.

The rescue took place after the French warship belonging to the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), which was in the vicinity, received an SOS call from the Liberian tanker, which was being fired upon by the pirates during their attempt to forcibly board the merchant vessel.

The French warship launched its helicopter towards the distressed merchant vessel and on noticing the naval chopper, the pirates gave up their hijack effort, the Navy said.

The French warship, however, did not remain contented with saving MV A Elephant and moved swiftly to shadow the pirated dhow, being operated as the mother ship by the Somali pirates.

The French also put well-practiced standard operating procedures with the Indian Navy into effect and exchanged information with the Godavari class frigate on the anti-piracy patrol.

Both the navies' warships continuously tracked the dhow and cornered it after the Indian frigate launched its Seaking helicopter with Marine Commandos on board.

The pirates, however, freed the 14 Indian sailors and abandoned the dhow, escaping on their skiffs after robbing the crew members of all their cash and valuables around 0300 Hours, the spokesperson said.

The dhow's crew, thereafter, contacted the Indian warship on Very High Frequency radio sets and sought assistance. The frigate closed in on the dhow and in coordination with the French warship, boarded the merchant vessel to provide food, water and medicines, apart from ensuring they were safe. Later, the dhow sailed to Al Mukkalla in Yemen, he added.
 
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