The Indian Navy has reportedly deployed five frontline guided missile destroyers to secure the Arabian Sea following a drone attack on MV Chem Pluto off Gujarat coast.
According to a Hindustan Times report, INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, INS Mormugao, INS Chennai and INS Visakhapatnam have been positioned to thwart any future attacks.
This comes amid increased maritime hostilities owing to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, with Houthi rebels targeting ships linked to Israel.
Apart from the five warships, Boeing P 8 I anti-submarine warfare aircraft and long endurance Sea Guardian drone have also been deployed in the region.
INS Kolkata has been positioned on the mouth of Red Sea, INS Kochi in south of Yemen Socotra Island, INS Mormugao in west Arabian sea, INS Chennai in Central Arabian sea and INS Visakhapatnam has been tasked to patrol the north Arabian sea.
The destroyers are being fueled by MV Swarnamala, a 25000-ton civilian oil tanker.