Indian Navy's surveillance bid in Arabian Sea amid INS Chennai thwarting hijack

INS Chennai reached MV Lila Norfolk barely 24 hours after it was hijacked 850 kilometres off Somalia.

In a high voltage drama last week, the Indian Navy evacuated 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from a commercial ship in the North Arabian Sea that had been targeted by hijackers.

According to reports, the Indian Navy’s warship, INS Chennai, reached MV Lila Norfolk, a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel, barely 24 hours after it was hijacked 850 kilometres off Somalia. According to reports, armed pirates boarded the ship, forcing its 21-man crew into the citadel.

The citadel is an emergency room, similar to a storm shelter, where the crew can hide during an attack. The distress call had been sent to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations which monitors merchant shipping. The merchant vessel was kept under continuous surveillance using P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, Predator MQ9B UAVs and integral helos (helicopters on a ship) before MARCOS personnel on the warship boarded the vessel and began sanitisation operations. The aircraft flew over MV Lila Norfolk and established contact with it. The INS Chennai was then diverted to assist the vessel.

Also read: Indian Navy continues to monitor maritime security situation in Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden

Recently, the Indian Navy had secured another vessel after it was hijacked in the Arabian Sea. Amid the spate of attacks in the region, the Indian Navy had already enhanced maritime surveillance efforts.

Recent incidents

On December 23, the Liberian-flagged MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, suffered a drone attack off India’s west coast. On the same day, another commercial oil tanker heading to India was targeted by a suspected drone strike in the Southern Red Sea. It was carrying a team of 25 Indian crew members. Additionally, on December 14, pirates hijacked the Malta-flagged MV Ruen in a separate incident.

Efforts by Navy

The Indian Navy has increased maritime security and surveillance in the central and north Arabian Sea by deploying frontline destroyers, frigates and long-range maritime patrol aircraft.

"Guardians of the Seas”#IndianNavy's swift action foils Hijack attempt! heroic rescue of MV Lila Norfolk's crew by #marcos #INSChennai.

A beacon of humanitarian aid in Maritime Security Operations across oceans ; Indian Navy remains committed to a #CombatReady, #Credible,… https://t.co/FiBMOoiKA7 pic.twitter.com/PlDQv72huW

— IN (@IndiannavyMedia) January 6, 2024

Five warships – INS Kochi, INS Mormugao, INS Kolkata, INS Chennai and a Talwar Class frigate – have been deployed in the Arabian Sea off the Gulf of Aden, reported the Indian Express. Along with the warships, P8I maritime patrol aircraft, MQ-9B Predator drones and Dornier aircraft have been carrying out enhanced surveillance. The Navy investigates vessels in the Arabian Sea, including boarding of dhows. "The Indian navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region along with international partners and friendly foreign countries," the navy statement said.

Who are Somalia’s pirates?

The current pirates are mainly fighters for Somalia's many warlord factions. Many of them have fought each other for control of the country since the collapse of the Siad Barre government in 1991. In 2011, pirates reportedly carried out 212 attacks in a vast area spanning Somali waters, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The World Bank estimates that Somali pirates received more than $400 million in ransom payments between 2005 and 2012.