The ongoing conflict in Gaza has triggered wider tensions in the Red Sea, impacting India despite its apparent distance. Houthi rebels have directly targeted commercial ships bound for Indian ports, including the December 23rd attack on the M V Chem Pluto docked in Mangalore. This follows another drone attack on the M V Sai Baba en-route to India on the same day.
In response, the Indian Navy has significantly increased its presence and surveillance in the region to safeguard its shipping interests and crew safety. Four Project 15A and 15B class destroyers have been deployed to counter drone and missile threats, while long-range P8I anti-submarine aircraft, Dornier planes, and helicopters provide crucial reconnaissance capabilities. This deployment aims to monitor the situation and safeguard crucial maritime channels closely.
India has taken a multi-pronged approach to deter potential threats from Iranian proxies targeting commercial ships. Several warships equipped with Brahmos missiles, including INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, INS Mormugao, INS Chennai, and INS Visakhapatnam, have been deployed in the Arabian Sea. Air surveillance is being conducted by Boeing P8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft and unarmed Predator drones, specifically scanning for vessels that could be used in attacks. Additionally, the Indian Coast Guard is patrolling the country’s western exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with Dornier surveillance aircraft and off-shore patrol vessels, contributing to an overall deterrence strategy. This combined effort demonstrates India’s proactive measures to safeguard its maritime interests and ensure safe passage for commercial ships in the region.
Five powerful Indian destroyers are being refueled by a massive civilian oil tanker named MV Swarnmala. This tanker, with its significantly larger fuel capacity compared to smaller naval tankers like INS Deepak, allows the destroyers to maintain their presence across the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) stretching 200 nautical miles from the coast. Meanwhile, Indian Boeing P8I aircraft and long-range surveillance drones are patrolling the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, specifically searching for suspicious vessels potentially used by Iranian-backed groups like the Houthisand Hezbollah, who have been targeting commercial shipping amid regional tensions. The Suez Canal, seeing nearly a trillion dollars in trade annually, can experience significant economic disruptions due to shipping threats, impacting both transportation costs and insurance premiums.
In the volatile landscape surrounding the Red Sea, two major players are making their presence felt: the US and India. The US aircraft carrier Gerald Ford patrols the Mediterranean while its counterpart, Dwight Eisenhower, guards the Gulf of Aden against Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping. This comes despite the success of Operation Prosperity Guardian in intercepting Houthi missiles.
Meanwhile, European and Chinese warships maintain a cautious distance. While China keeps its three Djibouti-based vessels away from potential conflicts, India takes a proactive approach. Indian Navy ships patrol key points across the Arabian Sea, deterring Iranian threats and securing crucial sea lanes. This comes after an Iranian attack on a chemical tanker near India’s coast, highlighting the region’s complex security challenges.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen continues to disrupt crucial trade routes, with the latest incident occurring on January 26th in the Gulf of Aden. Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, allegedly launched an anti-ship missile attack on the MV Merlin Luanda tanker, setting it ablaze but thankfully causing no casualties. This incident follows a recent escalation where the Houthis also targeted a US warship and a British vessel, marking the first direct attack on a US warship since the rebels began their assault on maritime traffic in October.
The Suez Canal, a critical artery for global trade, has seen a dramatic decline in activity due to recent attacks in the Red Sea. UNCTAD reports a 42% drop in traffic, causing a ripple effect that threatens to inflate energy and food costs worldwide. Container ships are hit particularly hard, with their presence in the Red Sea plummeting by 90%. Major shipping companies, fearing these attacks, have temporarily abandoned the Suez Canal, opting for the longer Cape of Good Hope route, resulting in a staggering 173-200% increase in freight charges. To ward off attacks, commercial vessels are resorting to various tactics, including broadcasting messages identifying themselves with nations considered friendly to Iran, in hopes of deterring Houthi aggression. This complex situation poses a significant challenge to global trade, adding to existing geo-political and climate concerns. (The Singapore Post)
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