In response to a series of security incidents attributed to the Iranian-backed Houthi group in the Red Sea, the Indian Navy has strategically positioned heavily armed destroyers, namely INS Kochi, Kolkata, Mormugao, and the frigate INS Trishul.
The recent successful escort of MV Chem-Pluto to Mumbai, which suffered a drone strike causing no significant damage, has heightened concerns within the Indian Navy. The investigation into the responsible party and the nature of the ammunition used is underway, with disruptive activities being attributed to Iran and the Houthi Group of Yemen.
The potential impact on India’s maritime security has led to a proactive approach, prompting inquiries into the country’s technological capabilities. Notably, there are discussions between a significant Indian company and a Polish company to acquire technology capable of detecting low-flying drones and para-gliders. As reported by Financial Express Online, this move reflects a strategic response to safeguard against the evolving threats posed by unconventional aerial tactics in the region, showcasing India’s commitment to enhancing its security infrastructure.
It is clear that India does not yet have such radar or technology that can detect low-flying drones. It is believed that Iran’s Shaheed-136 (functional) drones fly very low for long distances and are extremely difficult to track. “However, it is not yet clear whether MV Chem Pluto has actually been attacked by these drones. But it is certain that apart from Iran, Houthi rebels have these martyred drones. Iran has also provided these drones to Russia in the Ukraine war. It is believed that because of these drones, Russia has got a decisive edge over Ukraine today,” explains Rajput, who covered the Russia-Ukraine conflict from ground zero.
Adding, “The attacks on MV Chem-Pluto and Israeli and American ships in the Red Sea make it clear that the war will not be fought only on land and face to face. Even during the Ukraine war, Russia initially had to face similar non-conventional warfare. The Russian army had waged a conventional war against Ukraine, that is, it had surrounded the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Kharkiv, Sumy etc. with its infantry, tanks, Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs). But Ukraine had caused huge damage to the Russian army through drone attack.”
According to the statistics of the last two years of war released recently by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Ukraine has received about 23 thousand drones from America and other western countries. The number of tanks is 5220 and artillery is 1300. Ukraine had received only 28 aircraft and 87 helicopters from western countries.
“If Ukraine succeeded in stopping the invasion of the Russian army, it was possible through drone warfare. In the early months of the war, Russian soldiers would run away, abandoning their tanks, ICVs and trucks at the sight of Ukrainian Loitering-Munischen (functional drones). To avoid drone attacks, the Russian Army had to install iron nets on the cupolas of its tanks,” says Rajput, a Senior War-journalist having more than two decades of multimedia experience with specialization in defence, conflict, security, strategic affairs & geopolitics.
In his view a similar situation exists with Israeli tanks against Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), taking lessons from the Ukraine war, had installed iron mesh-like roofs on all its tanks and infantry combat vehicles as a precautionary measure. (Learning from Russia-Ukraine war, Israel put ‘roof cage’ and ‘V’ sign on the tank)
Drone Warfare
The Ukrainian Army has given a major blow to Russia through drone attacks not only on land but also in the sea. Ukraine damaged Russian warships in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov through unmanned underwater vehicles. Ukrainian UAVs tried to break the back of the Russian Navy by targeting everything from the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea to the warships stationed at the Sevastopol port. Ukraine simultaneously attacked the port of Sevastopol with two-three dozen drones.
Russia had to fire missiles several times to stop these drones. Because Russia did not have the necessary anti-drone technology to neutralize them. The Russian Navy was able to counter Ukraine’s drone warfare only because Russia has a large fleet of warships.
Russia has dramatically increased its UAV production in recent months, along with drones and other destructive technology borrowed from Iran and North Korea. According to Russian Defence Minister Shoigu, this year (2023) Russia has increased drone production by 16.8 times. Whereas during this period the production of tanks has increased only 5.6 times and that of ICVs by 3.6 times. During this period, Russia increased the production of its artillery ammunition by 17.5 times.
It is clear that whether it is Israel-Hamas war or Russia-Ukraine or Iran-Houthi attacks, non-contact and destructive technologies like drones are being used extensively in all of them.
How can India deal with such attacks?
In such a situation, India and the Indian Navy will have to tighten their belts, especially for drone warfare fought at sea.
The Indian Navy currently has two MQ-9 Reaper drones purchased from US based General Atomics for maritime surveillance. The deal for 31 MQ-9 Sea-Guardian and Air-Guardian from America has not been completed yet.
Apart from this, DRDO’s indigenous Tapas drone is ready, but due to the recent crash during testing, its flight may also get slowed down a bit.
Some private defence companies of India do claim that they have counter-drone technology with such radar cross section that can detect low-flying UAVs, but they are yet to be tested by the users (Army, Air Force and Navy).