India Expands Navy Anti-Piracy Role

The Indian Navy is going to take up a greater anti-piracy role in the Indian Ocean, in this case answering a request for help by the island nation of Seychelles.

The Seychelles Armed Forces today said it had requested the Indian Navy to patrol the exclusive economic zone of the country. The Navy confirmed that INS Nirdeshak has already been sent to the region.

While details of the area to be patrolled and the deployment of additional warships in the region will be discussed at a later stage, the Nirdeshak, which is a survey vessel of the Navy but is “adequately equipped” to undertake anti-piracy missions, will begin operations immediately.

This is in direct alignment with India's defined maritime strategy that focuses on leveraging naval forces for maritime security throughout the maritime domain in the Indian Ocean. This is a development worth observing long term.

Somalia pirates have been hijacking yatchs lately in that area.