Indian Navy Swiftly Responds to Houthi Attack on British Oil Tanker in Gulf of Aden

NEW DELHI: In a rapid and decisive response, the Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam has taken action to assist the British oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda, which came under a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi militants in the Gulf of Aden.

The distressed tanker, carrying 22 Indian and one Bangladeshi crew members, issued a distress call, prompting INS Visakhapatnam to deploy its NBCD team along with fire-fighting equipment. The Indian Navy’s prompt intervention exemplifies its unwavering commitment to safeguarding merchant vessels and ensuring the safety of life at sea.

This incident follows a series of recent maritime threats in the region. The operator of MV Marlin Luanda reported that the vessel had been struck by a missile after transiting the Red Sea. The Houthi attack highlights the escalating security concerns in the Gulf of Aden, a crucial shipping route.

The Indian Navy has strategically heightened its surveillance in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, deploying frontline destroyers and frigates. Recent events include responding to a drone attack on MV Genco Picardy earlier this month and thwarting an attempted hijacking of MV Lila Norfolk on January 5 in the North Arabian Sea.

Prior incidents include a drone attack on Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto off India’s west coast on December 23 and a suspected drone strike on another oil tanker in the Southern Red Sea on the same day, both involving Indian crew members.

With these developments, the Indian Navy reaffirms its dedication to maritime security, responding swiftly to distress calls and ensuring the protection of merchant vessels navigating through these critical waters.