Indian Navy on alert amid Middle East conflict, INS Surat deployed in the Gulf of Oman
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted air and sea traffic, leaving many Indian citizens stranded. The Indian government is repatriating them with special flights.
The ongoing intense conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East is now clearly affecting air and sea traffic. Many international flights have been canceled or postponed, leaving a large number of Indian travelers stranded. The Indian government has begun operating special flights to safely bring back stranded citizens. Furthermore, the Indian Navy is also fully prepared to play a key role in relief and rescue operations if needed.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is also fully prepared for relief and rescue operations. INS Surat is deployed in the Gulf of Oman, which can play a vital role in evacuating citizens if needed.
The Indian Navy's guided missile destroyer, INS Surat, is currently deployed near the Gulf of Oman. According to sources, this warship could immediately join the relief and evacuation operations if the situation worsens. This modern warship is capable of operating evading enemy radar. It is equipped with 32 medium-range surface-to-air missiles and 16 BrahMos anti-ship missiles.
INS Key Features
INS Surat is 163 meters long and weighs approximately 7,400 tons. It can travel at a maximum speed of 30 knots per hour. It is equipped with four powerful gas turbine engines, modern surveillance radar, anti-submarine rockets, and torpedo launchers. If needed, other Indian warships deployed in the Gulf of Aden can be deployed to the region at short notice.
Continuous Deployment under Mission Deployment
The Indian Navy initiated Mission Deployment in 2017. Under this, Indian warships are continuously deployed in key maritime areas around the world. Such warships are deployed in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, near the Seychelles, the Maldives, the Andaman and Nicobar regions, and the Bay of Bengal (near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border).
The Gulf of Aden is crucial for India, as a significant portion of the country's trade passes through it via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. If this route is disrupted, ships must take the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa, increasing both time and cost.
Indian Navy on alert
Amidst the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the Indian Navy is on high alert. Warships deployed in Oman and the Gulf of Aden can immediately launch relief and rescue operations if needed. The government is striving to ensure the safe return of every Indian citizen during this crisis and prevent any major impact on maritime trade.
