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Only 134 of the escorted vessels bore the Indian
flag, and 903 other vessels belonged to some 50
other countries. The total number of vessels provided
safety till mid-June 2010 was 1037.
The Indian Navy has been keeping at least one
warship in the area since 2008, and its helicopter
routinely patrols the troubled waters. The Navy
has also engaged and captured Somali pirates.
Many of the vessels given safety have carried
goods to or from the Arabian Gulf, including the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
The statement said that the Indian naval vessels
coordinated with naval vessels of other countries
“to keep the 'global commons' safe for merchant
shipping.”
The efficiency and effectiveness of the IN operations
in the region is enhanced through coordination
with other Navies operating in the area including
NATO forces, the EUNAVFOR (EU Naval Forces) as
well as through interaction with some other navies
that operate independently like the IN. Information
exchanged through the SHADE (Shared Awareness
and Deconfliction) mechanism also goes a long
way in enhancing the efficacy of the patrols.
At present, India’s indigenously-built guided
missile frigate “Brahmputra” is deployed
in or around the Gulf of Aden. It is equipped
with two onboard helicopters.
The frigate was commissioned in 2000 by Admiral
Pradeep Billoo Chauhan.
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