Suspected pirates onboard a hijacked bulk carrier fired on its warship the Indian navy said. They are demanding the pirates surrender. An Indian navy warship intercepted a hijacked bulk carrier off the coast of Somalia and demanded the pirates on board surrender. In December, the Maltese-flagged Ruen was hijacked by Somali pirates. The situation escalated further this week. The Indian navy released footage on social media Saturday that it said depicted pirates onboard the Rune opening fire on its warship. It has called on the pirates to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding, a spokesperson said without providing further details. India deployed several ships to the waters of Somalia in December, and in January its troops boarded a Liberian-flagged vessel to rescue the crew being held captive by pirates.  Increased piracy off Somalia The Ruen, however, remains under the control of the hijackers and is suspected to have around 18 crew members aboard. Before the hijacking of the Ruen on December 14, no cargo vessel had been successfully boarded by Somali pirates since 2017. The EU Naval Force warned Thursday that the Ruen has moved from the Somali coast into international waters and could be used as a "mothership" to carry out further attacks. The reemergence of Somali piracy comes as Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen target commercial ships in the Red Sea, disrupting traffic headed for the Suez Canal. Attacks by Somali pirates on vessels were at a peak between 2010 and 2015, but they have declined amid patrols by US and other allied naval forces.  

A US warship’s destruction of an incoming Houthi missile in the Red Sea this week marks the first use in this conflict of an advanced weapons system dubbed the Navy’s “last line of defense.” The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CWIS) was deployed by Navy destroyer the USS Gravely Tuesday night against what US officials said was a cruise missile that got as near as 1 mile to the ship – and therefore seconds from impact. The automated Phalanx system features Gatling guns that can fire up to 4,500 20-millimeter rounds a minute, engaging projectiles or other targets at extremely close range. “The Phalanx weapon system is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun that can defeat anti-ship missiles and other close-in threats on land and at sea,” manufacturer Raytheon says on its website page titled, “Last line of defense.” US warships have defeated dozens of previous Houthi missile attacks using longer-range defenses, likely the Standard SM-2, Standard SM-6 and Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, analysts say. Those defensive missiles engage their targets at ranges of 8 miles (about 12 kilometers) or more. But on Tuesday night that didn’t happen for reasons that have not been revealed. Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it was “concerning” that the Houthi missile got so close to a US warship. “If it’s going at a pretty good clip, 1 mile translates to not very long in terms of time,” Karako said. Analyst Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, said the Houthi missile, traveling at about 600 mph (965 kph), was likely about 4 seconds from hitting the US warship when it was destroyed by what was likely a 2- to 3-second burst of machine gun fire by the Gravely’s Phalanx system.   He noted that destroying an incoming missile at a 1-mile distance doesn’t necessarily prevent warships from being hit with debris. “The missiles don’t evaporate when destroyed, they send out thousands of fragments and missile frame parts,” Schuster said. “The good news is that the lighter parts decelerate quickly, but large chunks can fly up to 500 meters (more than 500 yards).”   The closer the incoming missile is to the ship when destroyed, the more danger there is to the vessel, with larger chunks able to penetrate unarmored parts of the hull and superstructure from about 200 meters (more than 200 yards) out, Schuster said. In a case of a subsonic cruise missile like that encountered by the Gravely on Tuesday, “depending on if the warhead detonates, debris size, missile flight angle and altitude at the time of missile destruction, about 2% of the debris might reach the ship,” he said. Up to 70% of debris from missiles that travel at a faster speed, such as supersonic cruise missiles or ballistic missiles, would likely hit a warship after being engaged by the Phalanx, he said. The Phalanx has a limited height range, so it may not even be able to engage ballistic missiles falling from above a warship, Schuster added. Even with those caveats, the Phalanx is an important armament for the US Navy.   Since its introduction in 1980, it is now installed on all US Navy surface ships, and at least 24 US allies also use it, according to Raytheon, which notes the land-based version has seen combat before. Whether it comes into further use in the current hostilities in the Red Sea remains to be seen. But the Iran-backed Houthis show no signs of slowing their attacks on commercial shipping and warships in the waters around their base in Yemen, which they claim are retaliation against Israel for its war in Gaza. A day after the attack on the Gravely, US Central Command reported another US destroyer, the USS Carney, had shot down incoming anti-ship missiles and drones. And on Thursday, US forces shot down a Houthi drone over the Gulf of Aden and destroyed a surface drone in the Red Sea, it said. Meanwhile, two ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen missed targets in the Red Sea, Central Command said.   Regional conflict The attacks on Red Sea shipping are just some of the dozens that have been made by Iranian proxy groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq since the war in Gaza erupted last October. The deadliest of those for the US military occurred last Sunday, when a drone strike on a US outpost in Jordan killed three American soldiers. The US believes an umbrella group of militants called Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the attack. President Joe Biden told reporters Tuesday he had made a decision about the US response to the strike, but declined to provide further details. Options for the Biden administration could involve strikes on Iranian assets in the region — but striking inside Iran itself is highly unlikely, officials said, since Washington is not seeking a direct war with Tehran. US officials told CNN this week there are signs Iran may be growing worried its proxies are taking the attacks on US interests too far, threatening to disrupt the global economy and significantly increasing the risk of a direct confrontation. But some current and former US officials are skeptical that Iran will substantively change its tactics. One US military official based in the Middle East said Iran is “quite happy with how things are going.”   Source: CNN

Iranian state media say Iran's navy has taken control of an oil tanker off Oman on a "court order." The incident comes amid a spate of attacks on ships in the region by various actors. Iran's navy on Thursday seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, an action that is likely to further raise already high tensions in maritime regions of the Middle East. The seized ship, identified by private intelligence firm Ambrey as the Marshall Islands-flagged St. Nikolas, was once, under the name of Suez Rajan, at the center of a long-running dispute between Washington and Tehran. The row culminated in the US Justice Department seizing a million barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil that were aboard it last year. Iranian state media said the St. Nikolas had been seized in retaliation for what it called the "theft" of Tehran's oil.  The incident comes following multiple attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen on ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks that have prompted US and British officials to warn of potential military consequences. What are the circumstances of the seizure? The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a body run by the British military, said the seizure took place in the early hours of Thursday morning near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which a fifth of globally traded oil transits. Ambrey said "four to five armed persons" boarded the ship, which has a crew of 18 Filipinos and one Greek national. Since the collapse of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, several ships have been seized by Tehran in waters around the strait. The tanker's Greece-based management company, Empire Navigation, told news agency AFP in a statement that the vessel had been transporting 145,000 metric tons of crude oil from Basra, Iraq, to Aliaga in Turkey.   State-run Iranian news agency IRNA, quoting the Iranian navy's public relations office, said the ship was now "being transferred to the ports of the Islamic republic for delivery to the judicial authorities." Tit-for-tat measures Iran already retaliated last year to the seizure of Suez Rajan's oil by taking over two tankers — the Marshall Islands-flagged Advantage Sweet as it sailed toward the United States in the Gulf of Oman, and then the Greek-owned Niovi, as it traveled from Dubai to Fujairah, in the UAE.  The country is under US sanctions, reimposed after Washington's 2018 withdrawal from the landmark nuclear deal.

The Qatari Court on Thursday commuted the death penalty sentence of eight ex-Indian naval officers it had arrested last year in the Dahra Global case, Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement. The sentence has now been reduced to jail terms. Describing the judgement, Ministry of External Affairs said, “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced.” MEA added, “The detailed judgement is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps. Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities.” The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme. The retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially. Earlier this month, MEA informed that two hearings have taken place in the case. “There have been two hearings. We filed an appeal, with the families, and the detainees had a final appeal. Two hearings have since been held. One was on November 30th and the other was on November 23rd. I think the next hearing is coming up soon,” Bagchi said. Moreover, the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed the judgement against them, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. The MEA spokesperson also highlighted the recent meeting that took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad and said that they have had a good conversation on the overall bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai and discussed bilateral partnership and the “well-being of the Indian community” living in Qatar.  Source: ANI  

India plans to deploy warships in the Arabian sea after a recent attack on a merchant ship. The US alleged the attack was by Iran, which Tehran has denied. India's navy said Monday it will deploy three guided-missile destroyer ships in the Arabian Sea to "maintain a deterrent presence," after a merchant vessel was struck off its coast over the weekend.  The Liberian-flagged and Japanese-owned MV Chem Pluto which was attacked docked in the west Indian coastal city of Mumbai on Monday. Authorities said initial reports suggested a drone attack, and that the navy was investigating further. The crew included 21 Indians and one Vietnamese citizen. New Delhi is also boosting its anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden after Somali pirates this month hijacked the bulk carrier MV Ruen. What are India's plans for the ships? "Further forensic and technical analysis will be required to establish the vector of attack, including type and amount of explosive used," the navy said in a statement. The navy said the explosive ordnance team had completed its analysis, and a joint investigation into the attack would be carried out by various other departments. "Considering the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy has deployed Guided Missile Destroyers, INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata ...in various areas to maintain a deterrent presence," the statement said. India had also sent a guided-missile destroyer to the region as part of "augmenting the anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden", the navy added. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said his country would strive to ensure security for maritime trade in the region. "India plays the role of a net security provider in the  entire Indian Ocean region," he said.  The US had claimed Iran attacked the Israel-affiliated MV Chem Pluto near India. A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry called this accusation "baseless." Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have carried out several drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has launched attacks on Hamas militants.    

Admiral Lisa Franchetti has 38 years of experience in the US Navy and is the current vice chief of operations. However, her nomination goes against the recommendation of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. President Joe Biden has chosen Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the US Navy, a senior administration official said on Friday. She would be the first woman to head the Navy and the first to be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She would be the second woman to head a branch of the US military after Coast Guard chief Admiral Linda Fagan, who was also nominated by Biden last year. "Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas," Biden said in a statement. Who is Lisa Franchetti? Franchetti currently serves as vice chief of operations for the Navy. A senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that Biden chose her based on the broad scope of her 38-year experience that gives her deep knowledge in budgeting and running the department. Franchetti is a surface warfare officer who has commanded at all levels, including a naval destroyer and two stints as an aircraft carrier strike group commander. She is also the second woman in the US Navy to be promoted to four-star admiral. The official said Biden also understands the significance of Franchetti as the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and believes that she will inspire both women and men in the Navy. Defense Secretary's pick nominated for different position Biden's decision to tap Franchetti goes against the recommendation of his Pentagon chief, but he is selecting an officer whom some insiders had considered the top choice for the job. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had recommended that Biden select Admiral Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy's Pacific Fleet. However, Biden is instead nominating Paparo to lead Indo-Pacific Command.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated naval base BNS Sher-e-Bangla and eight ships, including four Landing Craft Utility (LCU)s, at Kolapara in Patuakhali.  On Wednesday, the Prime Minister joined the programme virtually from Ganobhaban, her official residence. In the inauguration programme PM said, Awami league government has taken adequate steps for overall development of the armed forces to safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty, but it has no intention to lock into war with anyone. “Actually, we don’t want to get into war against anyone. Our eye is on to safeguard our Independence and sovereignty,” she said. She also said that the government has taken steps to develop the armed forces including the navy so they attain international level skill. In this connection, PM Hasina said that apart from procurement of helicopters, equipment besides construction of several warships is underway to strengthen surveillance and security at sea. A documentary on naval base Sher-e-Bangla and eight ships were screened at the programme. Earlier, the navy chief handed over command to the respective commanders of the base and the ships.

PM Modi will sign acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for INS Vikrant and 3 additional Kalveri class submarines to be built at Mumbai's Mazagon Dockyards. The Indian Navy will add more teeth to its already formidable arsenal in the coming years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to sign a deal for acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and a repeat order for building three more Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) through the “Make in India” route during his two-day visit to France this week, people familiar with the matter said. The Indian Navy will add more teeth to its already formidable arsenal in the coming years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to sign a deal for acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and a repeat order for building three more Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) through the “Make in India” route during his two-day visit to France this week, people familiar with the matter said. Source: Hindustan Times

In an exclusive chat, Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said that Predator drones would strengthen defence forces referring to their ability to fly continuously for more than 30 hours and effectively cover vast areas. India and the US inked a $3 billion deal for 31 Predator drone when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in United States for a state visit on the invitation of President Joe Biden.  Out of 31 drones, the Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) will get eight each of the land version. However, India is yet to finalise the cost and specific terms of purchase of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US.  The defence ministry has said it will examine the "best price" offered by the manufacturer to other nations before concluding the procurement. Admiral R Hari Kumar revealed that the Indian Navy has been utilising these drones, which fall into the category of High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, to improve surveillance and increase maritime domain awareness. "We realised the need for these drones to enhance our surveillance capabilities and gain a better understanding of our maritime surroundings," Admiral R Hari Kumar told.  He further said that the Navy has leased two Predator drones since November 2020 and has been successfully operating them since then. The Navy chief shared impressive statistics regarding the operation of the drones, stating, "We have flown for over 12,000 hours of operation and have comprehended the numerous benefits and advantages they provide. These drones enable us to maintain surveillance over vast areas effectively." Admiral R Hari Kumar also emphasised the significance of these drones in safeguarding the Indian Ocean region, where the Navy often has to cover distances of 2,500 to 3,000 miles to gather critical information about the presence and activities of various entities operating in those waters. "In peacetime, we conduct ISR missions, which involve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.  However, in times of crisis or combat situations, these drones possess the potential to be utilized for detecting, tracking, and even targeting," he added, underscoring the strike capabilities of the Predator drones. Source: indiatoday.in

In one of the biggest demonstrations of its operational prowess in recent years, the Indian Navy on Saturday carried out a mission in the Arabian Sea that involved two aircraft carriers, multiple warships, submarines and over 35 frontline planes amid China's increasing forays into the Indian Ocean. The Navy's aircraft carriers -- INS Vikramaditya and newly inducted INS Vikrant -- were the centrepieces of the exercise and the two platforms served as floating airfields for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K and helicopters such as MH60R, Kamov and Advanced Light helicopters, officials said. "The exercise marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy's pursuit of enhancing maritime security and power-projection in the Indian Ocean, and beyond, " Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said. He said the exercise involved a seamless integration of two aircraft carriers along with a diverse fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft, showcasing India's technological expertise in the maritime domain. "This demonstration of naval prowess underscores India's commitment to safeguarding its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain," Commander Madhwal said. It is the first mega exercise involving the two aircraft carriers after induction of the indigenously-built INS Vikrant in September. Officials said almost all air assets of the Navy operated from the two aircraft carriers and they operated as mobile bases. The exercise demonstrated that INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya can be positioned anywhere, allowing for increased mission flexibility, timely response to emerging threats and sustained air operations to safeguard national interests across the globe, they said. "In addition, they provide our friends with an assurance that the Indian Navy is capable and ready to support our 'collective' security needs in the region," said Commander Madhwal. "The successful demonstration of two-carrier battle group operations serves as a powerful testament to the pivotal role of sea-based air power in maintaining maritime superiority," he said. "As India continues to strengthen its security apparatus, the significance of aircraft carriers will remain paramount in shaping the nation's defence strategy and promoting regional stability," Commander Madhwal said.