Indian Naval Ships, Commando Escorts in Persian Gulf Area: An Inside Look From Monitoring Hub
In a first of its kind operation, Indian Navy Marine Commandoes (MARCOS) have boarded and escorted 10 Indian merchant ships to safety in the tense Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman region (as of June 28). The Navy has deployed two ships, destroyer INS Chennai and patrol vessel INS Sunayna, at both ends of the narrow strait after the May 12 attacks on four tankers anchored off Fujairah, UAE and similar June 13 strikes in the Gulf of Oman. SNI visited the Navy’s IMAC (Information Management and Analysis Centre) in Gurgaon for an inside look at the monitoring hub.
The IMAC and the IFC-IOR (Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region) are keeping a close watch on white shipping or merchant vessels, in particular in the troubled Gulf region. Tension between the U.S. and Iran has seen President Donald Trump ordering and then revoking military strikes against Tehran after an American drone was also shot down in the area. Though, India’s unprecedented operation preceded President Trump June 24th declaration that other countries should protect their own Gulf oil shipments, it underlines New Delhi’s concerns. He had tweeted, “Why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries for zero compensation. All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been a dangerous journey.”
As SNI reportedthe shipping industry feels crude carriers could become victims of collateral damage in any hostilities between the United States and Iran. India, which imports over 50 per cent of its crude from the region, does not want to take chances in the event of any disruption.
Taking SNI through the Navy’s IMAC and IFC-IOR, Director, Captain Harish Bahuguna said, “There is 24×7 watch keeping and monitoring in the Indian Ocean region. But the focus is on Operation Sankalp and the 35 Indian merchant vessels currently in the region. We take a real-time stock of the situation.” The MARCOS, he added, “board a ship in mid-sea after surveying it from a boat to ensure no mines have been attached.” SNI also learns the MARCOS are heavily armed and have been given options in their rules of engagement, which means they can even fire under certain circumstances.
INS Sunayna and INS Chennai, which have been in the area for a while, will also take turns in docking in UAE and Oman for refuelling and any other requirements in what is officially known as OTR (Operational Turn Around). Both will resume operations in a staggered manner after a quick OTR.
16 countries and 13 maritime organisations are part of the Navy’s IMAC and IFC-IOR. The government has also given the Navy a mandate for bilateral white shipping agreements for information exchange with 36 countries and 3 multinational organisations. As of now, white shipping agreements have been signed with 20 countries and one multinational organisation.
Highlighting the criticality of the Persian Gulf area to energy traffic, Captain Bahuguna took SNI through various on-screen real time data. In June, he said, “4900 ships of different nationalities transited the area. India had about 99 of these merchant vessels, with 30 ships currently present. 73 per cent of Indian-flagged vessels are tankers. Captain Bahuguna also underscored the Navy’s presence not only safeguards Indian marine ships but sends a strong message to all shipping in the area.
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