Indian Navy’s IFC-IOR issues warning as surge in drone attacks threatens Indian Ocean security

In its November 2023 monthly report, the Indian Navy's Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) sounded the alarm on the escalating threat of drone attacks in the Red Sea and Northern Arabian Sea. This trend, characterized as a "growing cause of concern" for global trade, poses serious risks to commercial shipping transiting through the Indian Ocean region (IOR). 

The centre, based in Gurugram, recorded a concerning uptick, observing five drone attacks in the first eleven months of 2023, with three incidents specifically documented in November alone. The figures for 2023 surpass those of the previous two years, with December reporting additional drone attacks. Houthi rebels from Yemen have targeted vessels suspected of connections to Israel, responding to Israeli actions in Gaza. This rising threat has forced major shipping companies to reroute vessels, seeking alternative paths to navigate away from the volatile region. 

Maritime safety and global economy in peril 

The monthly report underscores the gravity of these attacks, highlighting potential risks such as vessel sinkings, marine environmental pollution, trade blockades near choke points, and a significant increase in insurance rates. These implications can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the global economy.

The report cataloged specific attacks, including a drone assault on the Liberian-flagged oil tanker CAMPO SQUARE in the northern Arabian Sea on February 10 and a rotary unmanned aerial vehicle approaching a vessel within 10 meters 130 NM SW of Salalah, Oman, on March 1, 2023. In November, three notable instances occurred, including a US Navy ship downing a drone in the Red Sea off Yemen on the 15th, a drone attack on the Malta-flagged container ship CMA CGM SYMI in the Arabian Sea on the 24th, and a US Navy ship shooting down a drone in the Bab el Mandeb strait off the coast of Yemen on the 29th. 

IFC-IOR assists attacked vessel 

The report emphasized the impact of these attacks on maritime safety, raising concerns among seafarers navigating through the IOR. The IFC-IOR cited an example where it assisted a vessel attacked mid-sea in the Arabian Sea by a drone. Although the drone hit the forecastle area, causing no major damage, the incident highlights the vulnerability of vessels to such attacks. 

The Centre urged seafarers to maintain vigilant visual and RADAR monitoring for potential air threats. Vessels are advised to increase speed, avoid presenting a vulnerable aspect, and report incidents to MARSEC Centres, including IFC-IOR, for assistance coordination. Additionally, vessels should heed warnings from operational MARSEC Centres and broadcast messages on designated channels to alert nearby vessels and multinational forces.

The recent drone attacks on India-bound vessels, MV Chem Pluto and MV Sai Baba, have prompted a robust response from India. The country deployed warships, including INS Kochi and INS Kolkata, in the region. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared, "Those who have carried out these attacks, we will find them from the depths of the seas, and strict action will be taken against them. India plays the role of Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region." 

Prime Minister Modi addressed the situation in the Red Sea, discussing maritime security and the freedom of navigation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The international community closely watches as India takes firm steps to safeguard its maritime interests in the face of evolving threats in the Indian Ocean.