The anti-piracy operation resulted in the rescue of 17 crew members from the MV Ruen vessel, located off the coast of Somalia, while dozens of criminals were detained by Indian authorities.

The recent rescue of a commercial ship from pirates off the Somali coast by Delhi’s military highlights the development of the Indian Special Forces’ capabilities, now on par with the best in the world, according to observers.

The Somali coast is known to be one of the most dangerous regions for maritime navigation due to the prevalence of piracy. Located in the Horn of Africa, the Somali coastline stretches for about 3,333 kilometers along the Indian Ocean, offering a strategically important position in international maritime trade.

However, political instability and a lack of law enforcement in Somalia have created a conducive environment for piracy activities. Since the collapse of the Somali central government in 1991, the country has faced internal conflicts, civil war, and a lack of effective authority in large parts of its territory.

This instability has allowed Somali pirate groups to operate with relative impunity along the country’s coast and in adjacent areas of the Indian Ocean. Pirates have exploited Somalia’s weak state to launch attacks on merchant ships, oil tankers, fishing vessels, and even humanitarian rescue ships.

Piracy methods vary but generally involve armed approaches to ships, the hijacking of crews and cargo, followed by ransom demands for the release of hostages and goods.

Piracy along the Somali coast has had a significant impact on international maritime trade, increasing transportation, insurance, and security costs for companies and ships operating in the region. Crude oil tankers, container ships, and fishing vessels have been common targets for Somali pirates.

In recent years, however, there has been a significant reduction in piracy incidents off the Somali coast, partly due to international anti-piracy efforts, including naval patrols and onboard security measures. However, the situation remains volatile, and the presence of pirates still poses a risk to navigation in the region.

The Navy rescued 17 crew members of the MV Ruen during an anti-piracy operation that spanned nearly two days, according to a press release from the Indian Navy, with no reported casualties. Dozens of pirates were detained during the action.

The operation involved a Navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter flying over 2,400 kilometers to deploy maritime commandos, a naval drone, a reconnaissance drone, and a P-8 surveillance jet, as stated in the release.

“The success of this operation cements the Indian Navy’s position as an elite force in terms of training, command and control, and other capabilities,” said John Bradford, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and International Affairs.

Experts express concern about the instability of Red Sea security due to attacks by Yemeni-origin Houthi rebels against commercial shipping, which could potentially divert international forces and create an opening for Somali pirates in the neighboring Horn of Africa region—a significant threat to the global economy, estimated in billions of dollars.

Both Yemen and Somalia face severe economic challenges, having been hit by prolonged periods of civil conflict.

The hijacking of the MV Ruen by Somali pirates last December marked the first successful ship capture off the country’s coast since 2017.

Spanish, Japanese, and Indian warships monitored the Malta-flagged and Bulgarian-owned bulk carrier when it was taken into Somali territorial waters, according to a December report by the European Union Naval Force.

However, when the Ruen, now under the control of a pirate crew, left Somali waters last week intending to carry out acts of piracy on the high seas, the Indian Navy moved to intercept it, according to a Navy statement on the social platform X.

The destroyer INS Kolkata, deployed in the region to assist in ensuring international maritime security, used a ship-launched drone to confirm that the Ruen was being controlled by armed pirates, as reported by the Indian release.

After the pirates fired upon and destroyed the drone, then opened fire on the Indian warship itself, the Kolkata responded by attacking the Ruen, disabling its steering and navigation capabilities, as stated in the release.

While the Kolkata sought the pirates’ surrender, commandos parachuted in after a 10-hour flight from India, as reported by the Air Force on X. Additionally, rafts were deployed into the ocean from the large transporter to allow marines to reach the Ruen.

India’s display of force was sufficient to intimidate the pirates.

“Due to the sustained pressure and measured actions of the Indian Navy over the past 40 hours, all 35 Somali pirates surrendered,” stated the Navy’s release.

Bulgarian leaders, including President Rumen Radev, expressed gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the operation.

“My heartfelt thanks to [Modi] for the courageous action of the Navy in rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship ‘Ruen’ and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens,” Radev posted on X.

The Pirates

Today, pirates still exist in some parts of the world, especially in strategic and vulnerable maritime regions. While many people associate piracy with a phenomenon of the past, there are still organized groups engaging in illegal activities, such as hijacking commercial ships, stealing cargo, extortion, and even trafficking drugs and humans.

The most piracy-prone areas include the Gulf of Aden, the Somali coast, the Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea, the Gulf of Guinea, and the Sulu Sea. These regions feature geographical characteristics that make ships vulnerable to attacks, such as busy trade routes, weak law enforcement, and the presence of criminal groups.

Modern pirates are primarily motivated by financial gain. Hijacking ships and crews can result in substantial ransoms. Additionally, stealing valuable cargo, such as crude oil, precious metals, and electronics, is another source of profit for these groups.

Modern pirates use a variety of methods to attack ships. These can include direct armed assaults, using small, fast boats to board larger targets, launching attacks from land-based hideouts, and even disguising themselves as fishermen or ordinary sailors.

Modern piracy requires a coordinated response from the international community. Naval forces from various nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, India, and others, have participated in anti-piracy operations in affected areas. Additionally, onboard security measures, such as warship escorts, armed private security teams, and the implementation of maritime security protocols, have been adopted.

Piracy has a significant impact on the global economy. In addition to direct costs associated with ransoms and cargo losses, piracy can cause disruptions to maritime trade, increase insurance costs, and affect the confidence of investors and businesses that rely on maritime transport.

While efforts to combat piracy have succeeded in some areas, the persistence of this problem underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and international cooperation to protect shipping routes and ensure the safety of ships and their crews.