There’s been constant talk about the incompetence of the Indian military, but recently, the Indian Navy and Air Force joined forces for a remarkable feat. Employing C-17A strategic transport aircraft and special forces, they embarked on a long-range dash spanning 2,600 kilometers, securing a significant victory with the assistance of Indian Navy destroyers in rescuing a hijacked merchant vessel from pirates. Thirty-five pirates were apprehended, marking an impressive maritime rescue operation.
Interestingly, while the Indian media lauds the “invincible bravery” of their military, they also take a dig at China, claiming that this operation “showed China who rules the Indian Ocean.”
First, let’s review the operation. The Maltese-flagged cargo ship “Ruun” was hijacked by pirates approximately 240 kilometers off the coast of Somalia on December 13 last year. The ship remained in Somali territorial waters for some time, perhaps fearing a raid, before the pirates moved it into international waters.
During this period, the Indian Navy successfully tracked their movements. The INS Kolkata destroyer conducted surveillance, even deploying small drones for close reconnaissance of the cargo ship. Startled by this display, the pirates shot down one of the drones.
Losing a drone was inconsequential, but for the Indian military, it was the awaited signal. With the pirates showing aggression, the operation could escalate. Subsequently, the Indian Navy intensified surveillance of the “Ruun” and dispatched a P-8I anti-submarine aircraft and a high-altitude, long-endurance drone to support the operation.
After thorough reconnaissance of the pirates and the “Ruun,” the Indian military decided to act. The Indian Air Force dispatched a C-17A transport aircraft, carrying at least two inflatable boats and an undisclosed number of Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy. Covering 2,600 kilometers, they conducted a precise airdrop near the “Ruun.” The Indian commandos parachuted into the sea, boarded the inflatable boats, and swiftly approached the “Ruun.” The 35 pirates were caught off guard by this unexpected aerial assault, and they surrendered quickly upon encountering the Indian commandos.
Following the successful mission, the Indian media celebrated, not only listing the involvement of various branches of the Indian armed forces but also including the National Disaster Management Authority and the National Security Guard, hinting at a desire for recognition.
The Eurasian Times quoted maritime experts from the Philippines, praising the Indian military for demonstrating integrated maritime and aerial combat capabilities in this sudden security incident, “defeating those who prefer flashy but unsubstantial propaganda videos.” This comment was clearly aimed at ridiculing the Chinese navy.
However, interpreting this successful anti-piracy operation as a significant military achievement appears superficial. The success of the Indian military in this operation can be attributed to meticulous reconnaissance and planning, as well as the low morale and loose organization of Somali pirates, who offered minimal resistance. The outcome was apparent as soon as the Indian commandos boarded the ship.
During the Chinese navy’s escort missions in Somalia, similar incidents occurred. However, they did not directly encounter pirates; when the “Dragon” commandos boarded, the pirates had already fled upon sighting Chinese naval aircraft and vessels.
Indian media’s perspective seems to overlook the complexity of large-scale evacuation tasks undertaken by the Chinese military over the years. It’s clear that the Indian media views this as an opportunity to flex muscles towards China, believing their response was commendable. However, deploying anti-submarine aircraft, large transport planes, and missile frigates against pirates armed with automatic rifles appears extravagant.
Furthermore, the Eurasian Times proudly stated that China is aware of the strength of the Indian Navy and India’s geographical advantage, which is why China refrains from provoking India at sea, “because China lacks the capability.”
This notion is misleading because if the Chinese navy encountered such a situation, they wouldn’t need the elaborate setup of anti-submarine aircraft, transport planes, and airdrops. The “Dragon” commandos accompanying the escort fleet could easily handle such rescue missions.
Since December 2008, when the Chinese navy began escorting ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali waters, the Chinese navy has completed over 7,200 escort missions in 15 years. The achievements of the competent are often overlooked, something the superstitious reliance on big sticks in India fails to comprehend.
What truly irks the Indian media is China’s presence in the Indian Ocean. As countries like Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan strengthen ties with China, Indian leadership feels a severe sense of crisis, viewing this as China’s “string of pearls” strategy, intending to trap India completely. The Indian military must showcase its capabilities to the PLA.
Moreover, with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the crisis in the Red Sea, India seeks to assert itself in these regional conflicts. Joining the US-UK joint fleet to confront Houthi rebels doesn’t align with India’s stance, as they cannot afford to antagonize Arab nations. As for supporting Palestine against the US and UK, that’s out of the question.
Therefore, targeting the weakest opponent nearby – Somali pirates – was the safest and most righteous choice. Thus, we witness this spectacle of the Indian military returning victorious in front of the Chinese and American navies. (Wang Yanan)