He further explained that in anti-drone operation, they are not just supporting the Indian flag merchant vessel, but also any of the other flag vessels who are in distress.
“In anti-drone operation, we are supporting our merchant ships, not just the Indian flag merchant vessel, but also any of the other flag vessels who are in distress, whether it’s fire or attacked by some drone or missile,” he said.
Additionally, he said that they also try to assist them in getting to the harbour safely.
“If there’s damage, we have been trying to help them and assist them to get to the harbour safely,” he added.
Highlighting the second operation, the anti-piracy operation, the navy chief said that they thought that piracy had almost finished but they saw a resurgence when the tensions started in shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
“The second operation, which is ongoing, is the anti-piracy operation. We have deployed more than 108 ships since 2008, continuously…We thought that piracy had almost finished because hardly any piracy attacks in 2023…But then suddenly the drone attack started and the disturbance in the shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, we saw a resurgence in this,” he said.
