Indian Navy to sail through the Persian Gulf to protect Indian commercial ships.

In an effort to ensure that the strategic shipping lanes between the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian/Arabian Gulf Region are safe and India’s own energy flow is protected, the Indian Navy has deployed its vessels in the Gulf of Oman.

INS Chennai during its commissioning ceremony (Picture Source: Indian MoD)

"The Indian Navy is committed to ensuring safety of Indian maritime trade and merchant vessels operating in the region and contributing towards maintaining a stable and peaceful Indian Ocean Region," said official spokesperson of the Indian Navy Captain DK Sharma.

This is a mission-based deployment, said Capt Sharma. According to him, the Indian Naval ships have been sent to re-assure Indian Flagged Vessels operating/ transiting through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman following the maritime security incidents in the region. “IN Ships Chennai and INS Sunayna have been deployed in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf to undertake Maritime Security operations.”

In addition to those vessels, aerial surveillance by Indian Navy's helicopters is being undertaken in the area, whilst the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf region, Sharma added.