American and Indian Coast Guardsmen trained in defending against drone attacks and other maritime security threats over the weekend during Exercise Sea Defenders 2024.
Taking place off the Malacca Strait off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) and Indian Coast Guard vessels and aircraft held several maritime security activities in port and at sea over four days. This exercise also marked the first time a U.S. Coast Guard vessel visited New Delhi’s southernmost territory, strategically located at the entrance to the Malacca Strait between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Aside from search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and firefighting, the two coast guards were also training in dealing with more pressing threats.
According to an Indian press release, Sea Defenders 2024 “will simulate scenarios relevant to maritime piracy and asymmetric threat.” Alongside visit, board, search, and seizure drills, one of the scenarios listed for the exercise was a “simulated drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic,” echoing recent events in the Red Sea and off India’s Coast.
Since last fall, Houthi-launched anti-ship missiles and one-way attack drones have wreaked havoc on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean. Among the responses to these attacks, such as the American-led Prosperity Guardian and the European Union’s Operation Aspides, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard have ramped up deployments to increase monitoring of the situation and help stricken vessels.
Indian naval warships have come to the assistance of many vessels, most recently in the case of the MV True Confidence in which the destroyer INS Kolkata (D63) evacuated and provided medical assistance to the bulk carrier’s injured crew. In another incident with the MV Marlin Luanda, the Indian Navy was one of three navies that assisted in firefighting onboard the crude oil tanker.
The Indian Ministry of Defense highlighted the exercise and relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard as “an important component of the strategic partnership.” In recent years New Delhi and Washington have increased their security ties through defense-industrial cooperation, shipyard initiatives, and military exercises.
