• 35 Pirates surrender to IN following 40-hour mission
• India showcases capacity, training and synergy in a combined air / sea Marine Commando raid, 2400 km off Indian coast

Last weekend (16), the Indian Navy and Air Force in a spectacular combined operation rescued 17 crew members of the stricken Maltese flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen, following a 40-hour stand-off with a 35 strong Somali pirate gang who had hijacked the vessel in December 2023.

The combined operation, which saw India use a wide cross section of maritime security tools, working in synergy saw Indian Marine Commandos and their small raider boats, air dropped to the waters near MV Ruen nearly 2400 km away from India. The effort saw Indian satellite constellations, long range P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPAs), Maritime patrol unmanned drones, and C-17 heavy lift aircrafts work in synergy with an Indian Navy destroyer to effect a successful rescues operation, which is likely the largest of its kind, conducted at sea in the recent past. Over the last decade, India has been improving their naval capabilities and helping other navies and law enforcement agencies in the region to capacity build. India has also been proactive in securing basing rights across the region, and improving networking with countries in the Indian Ocean on maritime security.

Commenting on the rescue, former Sri Lanka Navy Chief of Staff and maritime security expert Rear Admiral (Retd.) Y.N. Jayarathna told The Daily Morning that India recently carried out a naval exercise where some of the tactics and equipment used in the rescue operation was put to the test. “This underlines the importance of regular military exercise, sound coordination between all branches of the military and the value of training, and capacity building. India has demonstrated this in action. Training and exercises are confidence building measures. It helps test command and control, test equipment, decision making capacities, that is the value of training. A well trained and equipped force will respond to crises well. It also shows that India is consolidating their desire to be the first responder in the Indian Ocean region.”     

The MV Ruen, which was approximately 260 nautical miles (nm) east of Somalia when rescued, is now enroute to India, after the vessel's seaworthiness was validated on Sunday (17).

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, Indian navy Kolkata-class guided missile destroyer, INS which has been shadowing the hijacked MV Ruen, when pirates on-board the vessel had opened fire on a surveillance drone launched to observe them.

“In a calibrated response in line with International Laws, (the) Kolkata disabled the ship's (MV Ruen) steering system and navigational aids, forcing the pirate ship to stop. INS Kolkata undertook precisely measured actions while maintaining her position close to the pirate ship and also engaged in forceful negotiations, which resulted in the pirates surrendering and releasing the pirate ship MV Ruen and its original crew present onboard. The efforts of the Indian Navy in the ongoing anti-piracy operation 1400 nm (2600 km) from mainland India were augmented by the deployment of INS Subhadra in the area AM 16 Mar 24, and also by air-dropping of the Marine Commandos (PRAHARS) by C-17 aircraft in the same afternoon. Additionally, the pirate vessel was kept under surveillance by HALE RPA and P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Due to sustained pressure and calibrated actions by the Indian Navy over the last 40 hours, all 35 Somali pirates surrendered PM 16 Mar 24. All 17 original crew members of MV Ruen were also safely evacuated from the pirate vessel without any injury. The vessel has also been sanitised for the presence of illegal arms, ammunition and contraband,” the Indian MOD said in a statement.

The anti-piracy efforts which India has launched and the success of the recent rescue, will likely give confidence to merchant mariners about their safety and security of traversing the Indian Ocean, and will also act as a deterrent to piracy and other hostile actions by non-state actors in the region.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria, thanked the Indian Navy for rescuing two of their nationals, who were among the kidnapped crew of the MV Ruen.