Indian Navy deploys surveillance aircraft in Seychelles

[Soumitra]

NEW DELHI: Indian Navy has deployed a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in the Seychelles for carrying out anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region.

Stationed at the Seychelles' capital Victoria, the Dornier was deployed last week and would be operated by Navy crew on anti-piracy patrol duties in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), navy officials said here on Thursday.

"The aircraft along with crew member flew a week back for its assignment off the Seychelles coast. Besides guarding the its Exclusive Economic Zone, it would be used for anti-piracy patrol duties," they added.

India and the Seychelles had agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime security areas after a two-day visit by defence minister A K Antony to the island nation in July 2010.

Besides Dornier, two Chetak maritime choppers would also be provided to the Seychelles for its fight against sea-pirates.

India, recently, has taken several steps to enhance its presence in the IOR and initiated a series of maritime operations to check piracy.

Read more: Indian Navy deploys surveillance aircraft in Seychelles - The Times of India Indian Navy deploys surveillance aircraft in Seychelles - The Times of India

 

[Frank Martin]

Thats a very good move.

 

[shaktiman2010]

These pirates thing is quite organised. A loose pirate ship can't cause so much trouble on regular basis.

It seems they are in a big group. Daal me kuch kaala hai.

 

[KS]

Good ; we must justify the name given to the Ocean.

Piracy is a god given opportunity for IN to establish supremacy (ofcourse after the USN) over the Indian Ocean and lets see if the Think tanks at the top helm of MoD and Navy utilise it.

 

[Kashmiripandit2]

Good ; we must justify the name given to the Ocean.

Piracy is a god given opportunity for IN to establish supremacy (ofcourse after the USN) over the Indian Ocean and lets see if the Think tanks at the top helm of MoD and Navy utilise it.

But isn't Seychelles a bit distant? Its more closer to Africa than it is to us. How can it be of any use to us? Cannot go beyond the scope of listening posts.

 

[marshall]

But isn't Seychelles a bit distant? Its more closer to Africa than it is to us. How can it be of any use to us? Cannot go beyond the scope of listening posts.

The Indian Ocean ports being developed by China at Gwadar, Chittagong, Hambantota and Kyaukpyu will be used in the service of China's commercial shipping trade. This increasing commercial shipping will eventually increase the shipping volume to such an extent that that it will require China's navy to guard this shipping route considering India will have taken military measures to threaten it long before this happens. This will be useful for monitoring China's shipping and inevitable naval forces guarding this shipping route.

 

[KS]

But isn't Seychelles a bit distant? Its more closer to Africa than it is to us. How can it be of any use to us? Cannot go beyond the scope of listening posts.

Seychelles is on the entry point of Cape of Good Hope and hence is a vital point in sea lanes. And yes , in the near future, they cannot go beyond listening posts. But it is very important that we maintain a cordial relationship with them. Who knows what the future holds for us ?

 

[Whiplash]

Nice. These pirates have in a way given a good chance for the navy to flex its muscles a little bit.

 

[angeldemon_007]

I think IN or IAF should a set up a base over there...our own ring of pearls. We should also consider setting up a small base in Maldives and Sri Lanka. We should make more Droniers and station there.