The Indian Navy has increased the deployment of warships to tackle piracy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) more effectively, reports have indicated.
"We have increased the deployment and we are now aggressively going after them," Chief of Indian Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar was quoted as saying in the reports.
He said the anti-piracy operation has been going on since 2008 with constant deployment of herd ships to combat piracy.
"The presence of warships deters the pirates. Last year, we thought that piracy was almost over, but recently hijacking of an Indian vessel and Indian crew took place," he added.
The 2022 Maritime Anti-Piracy Act has strengthened the navy's hands and India is among the few countries that have enacted such legislation, he explained.
He also commented on self-reliance in defense procurement, saying: "I have given a commitment to the national leadership that by 2047, when we aspire to be a developed nation, the Indian Navy will be completely Atmanirbhar [self-reliant]. That is the target we have set for ourselves. We have given this commitment and we are working towards it. This implies that all our platforms will largely be indigenous".
He also commented on self-reliance in defense procurement, saying: "I have given a commitment to the national leadership that by 2047, when we aspire to be a developed nation, the Indian Navy will be completely Atmanirbhar [self-reliant]. That is the target we have set for ourselves. We have given this commitment and we are working towards it. This implies that all our platforms will largely be indigenous".