In the wake of a drone attack on the merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto, the explosive ordnance disposal team of the Indian Navy conducted a thorough inspection upon the vessel’s arrival in Mumbai. The incident occurred two days prior off India’s west coast in the Arabian Sea, prompting concerns about the security of commercial vessels in the region.
The MV Chem Pluto, carrying 21 Indian crew members, was struck by a drone approximately 217 nautical miles from Porbandar on Saturday. The Navy and the Indian Coast Guard promptly deployed assets to assist the affected ship.
Preliminary analysis of the area of attack and the debris found on the vessel strongly suggests a drone attack, according to Navy officials. However, a more in-depth forensic and technical analysis is deemed necessary to ascertain all the details surrounding the incident.
In response to the recent surge in attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy took proactive measures by deploying warships, including INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata, to maintain a deterrent presence in the region. Additionally, long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8Is have been regularly assigned to maintain domain awareness.
The Navy’s swift and comprehensive response underscores its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of maritime activities in the Arabian Sea. As the investigation progresses, authorities will collaborate to gather more information on the nature of the drone attack and implement measures to enhance the security of commercial shipping lanes in the region.
