[dragracer567]

Indian Navy's dramatic 40-hour stand-off operation against 35 Somali pirates holding hostages

In what is probably one of the most complex missions attempted by the Indian Navy in the 21st Century, the Indian Navy came to the rescue of the MV Ruen which was hijacked by 35 Somali pirates holding 17 hostages. The Indian Navy deployed its assets including the destroyer INS Kolkata, the patrol vessel INS Subhadra, MQ-9B drone and P8I surveillance aircraft. Even more dramatically, the Indian Navy flew in and para-dropped MARCOS commandos in a C17 - similar to an operation by the US Navy who deployed Navy SEALS during the mission to rescue 'Captian Phillips' (latter immortalized in a Tom Hanks movie). While such dramatic anti-piracy missions aren't new for the Indian Navy, I believe para-dropping MARCOS into the scene is. Moreover, the Indian armed forces are finally learning to ensure video evidence for information warfare. This also cements India's role as a net security provider as it has always been for the region - something for our neighbor to the North to watch and learn instead of bullying its neighbors.

Such drastic action was seemingly in self-defense as the pirates fired back at Indian military assets - assuming they had strength in numbers, only to face the wrath of the second most powerful military in the Indian Ocean Region.

The first image shows the C17 paradropping the commandoes onsite. The episode also shows just how important aerial assets like the C17, P8 and MQ-9Bs and large surface assets like the INS Kolkata are to quickly mobilize troops and ensure situation awareness.

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[FiatDiesel]

This is top news on CNN today.

[V.Narayan]

Work commences on first Fleet Support Ship for the IN. 5 to be built.

https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/st...-visakhapatnam

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...le68050712.ece

‘Steel Cutting’ ceremony of first of the five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) was held at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam on 10 Apr 24. Contract with Hindustan Shipyard for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships was signed in Aug 2023.

The ships, with more than 40,000 tonnes displacement will carry and deliver fuel, water, ammunition and stores enabling prolonged operations without returning to harbour, thus enhancing the Fleet’s strategic reach and mobility. In secondary role, these ships would be equipped for humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations and quick delivery of relief material at site during natural calamities.

Currently the IN operates 4 fleet support ships a little less than what we need with our expanding naval commitments.

Tentative data available {Wikipedia}

Displacement: ~45,000 tonnes

Length: ~230 metres

Speed: 20 knots

Fuel delivery rate: 2400 tonnes per hour

Artist's rendition:

[dragracer567]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Work commences on first Fleet Support Ship for the IN. 5 to be built.

IIRC wasn’t this contract originally awarded to a Turkish consortium and then later cancelled due to poor relations?

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by dragracer567

IIRC wasn’t this contract originally awarded to a Turkish consortium and then later cancelled due to poor relations?

Yes, this is the same project. Other than the Turks being the lowest bidder it was also felt this could be the thin end of the wedge to open up a new chapter in our fragile relations. But apparently something did not click. As you know the Turks have done a commendable job in ship, aircraft and drone design without our bureaucracy style crakes.