Indian Navy foils piracy threat on merchant ship, secures vessel in Gulf of Aden

Published 2 July 2026 · india

The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden after INS Trikand swiftly responded to a distress alert

The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden after INS Trikand swiftly responded to a distress alert from MV Golden Arsenal, ensuring the safety of all crew members and enabling the ship to resume its voyage. According to the Indian Navy, the incident occurred on July 1 when MV Golden Arsenal, a bulk carrier sailing under the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reported an attempted pirate attack while transiting from Aden, Yemen. The vessel was located around 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti when it came under threat.

Read Full Story The piracy incident was reported through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), following which INS Trikand, a mission-deployed stealth frigate operating in the Gulf of Aden, was tasked with intercepting and assisting the merchant vessel. ONE INDIAN SPOTTED IN THE VESSEL The bulk carrier was carrying 21 crew members, including one Indian national. During the incident, the vessel sustained damage to its bridge superstructure and adjoining compartments. However, the crew followed standard anti-piracy procedures by taking shelter inside the ship's citadel, where they remained safe until naval assistance arrived.

On the morning of July 2, a boarding team from INS Trikand boarded MV Golden Arsenal to sanitise the vessel and assess the security situation. After conducting a comprehensive search, the team confirmed that no suspicious persons were present onboard and declared the vessel secure. Following the sanitisation operation, the crew safely emerged from the citadel and, together with Indian Navy personnel, began assessing the extent of the damage caused during the attempted attack. To strengthen the operation, the Indian Navy also deployed a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in the area.

The aircraft provided enhanced maritime domain awareness and supported the anti-piracy mission by monitoring the surrounding waters. With the immediate threat neutralised and the vessel declared safe, INS Trikand concluded its anti-piracy operation. MV Golden Arsenal subsequently resumed its onward voyage. The Indian Navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring the safety and security of seafarers of all nationalities. The operation forms part of the Navy's ongoing efforts to maintain maritime security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region. Ends