The Indian Navy saved 23 Pakistani nationals from Somali pirates during a 12-hour-long operation in the Arabian Sea. The rescue unfolded in the early hours of March 29 when INS Sumedha intercepted the hijacked vessel FV Al-Kambar. INS Sumedha was soon joined by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul to bolster the operation. Indian naval forces initiated negotiations with the pirates, compelling them to surrender without bloodshed. Following the apprehension of pirates, the navy personnel thoroughly carried out the sanitisation of the vessel. The Iranian vessel was approximately 90 Nm south-west of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. Notably, the Indian Navy has carried out several high-octane operations against piracy attacks lately. Also, this is not the first time that Indian Navy has come forward to rescue Pakistan nationals. In January this year, 19 Pakistanis were rescued from Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, Al Naeemi which was attacked by pirates. Also, earlier this month, Indian Navy intercepted the under-attack ship Ruen and 35 Somali pirates were made to surrender.
30 March,2024 11:07 AM IST
In a historic milestone, indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft on March 28 completed its first flight. The aircraft airborne for 15 minutes during its first maiden flight, as per Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Currently, two squadrons of IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas. HAL has current capacity to build 8 LCA aircraft per year, this is being increased to 16 aircraft's every year by 2025. In coming years the capacity will be further increased to 24 aircraft every year in the next 3 years. Over Rs 9000 crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk 2, an updated and advanced version of LCA Tejas. Earlier in the 2023, Air Chief Marshal stated that the Indian Air Force aims to replace the MiG-21 fighter jets with LCA Tejas.
28 March,2024 05:18 PM IST
Indian Navy’s warship INS Kolkata brought 35 captured Somali pirates to India on March 23. All 35 Somalian pirates were handed over to Mumbai Police after due formalities of Customs and Immigration. After being handed to Mumbai Police, the pirates were taken to JJ Hospital for medical examination. The pirates were captured by the Indian Navy in an Anti-Piracy operation on March 16 from the Arabian Sea. As part of the Indian Navy’s anti-maritime security operations, INS Kolkata intercepted the hijacked vessel, ex-MV Ruen. The navy intercepted ex-MV Ruen, which was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship on high seas. After over 40 hours of operation, Indian Navy coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members. The Navy shared a video of its encounter with Somali pirates who were using a hijacked merchant vessel. The pirates onboard the vessel were called upon to surrender and release the vessel.
23 March,2024 05:32 PM IST
The Indian Navy once again displayed its heroics and intercepted a ship hijacked by Somali pirates. From a Indian Navy vs Somali Pirates scenario, Navy shared a video of its encounter with Somali pirates who were using a hijacked merchant vessel. The Indian Navy thwarted designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The navy intercepted the hijacked ex-MV Ruen which was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship on high seas. The vessel opened fire on the warship and the Indian Navy retaliated to neutralise the pirates. The pirates onboard the vessel were called upon to surrender and release the vessel. In recent times, Indian Navy has proved its mettle by averting piracy bids in high seas.
16 March,2024 06:09 PM IST
The US and UK Armed Forces conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Yemen. The attacks were backed by several Western nations including Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand. The strikes targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. For months, Houthi attack have been disrupting aid bound for Yemen harming Middle Eastern economies. Meanwhile, Houthi military on February 25 said that they targeted an American oil tanker in Gulf of Aden. Houthi Military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said their navy targeted the US-flagged, owned commercial ship, MV Torm Thor. Britain also released a video of Typhoon fighter jets and Voyager tanker aircraft in operation for joint military action against Houthis. The US and Britain have re-designated the Houthis as a terrorist group, after they began targeting commercial vessels.
25 February,2024 05:00 PM IST
The Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the Indian Navy’s proposals to buy 220 BrahMos extended-range missiles for its warships. The contract will be signed on March 05 and 220 BrahMos will be worth around Rs 20,000 crore. The extended-range BrahMos is speculated to have an extended range of around 800 km. This would be a major ‘Make in India’ success for the missile system built with Russia’s partnership. India’s BrahMos is a universal long-range supersonic cruise missile system that can be launched from land, sea, and air. Not only to just Indian Navy, but the indigenous BrahMos missile system will also be exported to the Philippines. In January, DRDO Chief Dr Samir Kamat informed ANI about the export of India’s missile system to the Philippines.
22 February,2024 12:29 PM IST
INS Chennai, which rescued the hijacked Bulk Carrier MV Lila Norfolk on January 5, reached Chennai on Feb 16. On Jan 05, the Indian naval warship reached the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast. As many as 21 crew members, including 15 Indians were onboard the ship which was hijacked by the pirates. The Indian Navy was quick to respond and rescued all the crew members. Navy’s elite commando unit MARCOS reached the vessel and initiated the “sanitisation” process. The rescued members hailed the Indian Navy’s efforts and a timely response.
17 February,2024 02:20 PM IST | Mumbai
Qatar released 8 Ex-Navy veterans who were detained in Doha on alleged espionage charges. 7 out of 8 ex-Navy veterans reached India safely on Feb 12 from Qatar after months of captivity. Saurabh Vashisht, one of the Ex-Indian Navy veterans who returned home, expressed his feelings. His family was overwhelmed on his return and thanked PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar for their intervention. As Govt managed to bring back its Navy veterans from Qatar, it is one of the biggest diplomatic wins for India. PM Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been receiving praise for their diplomatic victory.
14 February,2024 04:03 PM IST
RK Vashisht, father of one of the eight Indian Navy veterans released by Qatar - Saurabh Vashisht thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar and NSA Doval for the safe return of the ex-Navy officers. He said, "I would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM S Jaishankar... They have made the impossible possible. We talked to EAM S Jaishankar regularly and he fulfilled his promise of bringing all 8 officers back home safely... This is a kind of charisma we used to have in fictional stories..."
14 February,2024 01:22 PM IST
Talking about ex-Navy men released from Qatar, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai said that it is a victory for PM Modi. He also praised PM Modi’s diplomatic relationship and said Modi diplomacy is world class after Indian Navy veterans were released from the Qatar Death penalty and returned back to India. “The Modi diplomacy is world-class. Yesterday we have seen eight sailors returned from Qatar, who were sentenced to death sentence, without a scratch. That is a victory for Narendra Modi ji and External Affairs Ministry under S Jaishankar. The old India can never do this. The new India is doing this. Also, the fishermen released from Sri Lankan prison landed in Chennai.,” said Annamalai.
13 February,2024 04:21 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
