Anti-piracy mechanism of India

Source– This post on Anti-piracy mechanism of India is based on the article “Marathon operation by Navy, IAF led to pirates’ surrender” published in “The Hindu” on 18th March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, Indian Navy’s highly secretive Marine Commandos (MARCOS) conducted their first-ever para-drop operation at sea.

They managed to secure and safely evacuate the 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the merchant vessel Lila Norfolk. 

About Anti-piracy mechanism of India

1. The pirate ship was intercepted by the navy’s destroyer INS Kolkata, approximately 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) from the Indian coast.

2. The MQ-9A high-altitude long endurance remotely piloted aircraft and P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft we the pirate vessel.

3. The C-17 aircraft airdropped the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) for the anti-piracy operation.

4. The MARCOS conduct specialized warfare at sea, including combat diving, search and rescue, underwater demolition, visit, board, search and seizure, and reconnaissance operations. MARCOS can also conduct operations in the land and air.

4. A MQ-9 Sea Guardian, a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, maintained uninterrupted aerial surveillance of the hijacked ship.

5. The Boeing P-8I Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft and INS Subhadra, a Sukanya-class patrol vessel, also participated in the operation.

Read more: Piracy in Arabian Sea

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology (Defence)