The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Wing Commander Akshay Saxena, honouring the Indian Air Force pilot’s “indomitable courage and conspicuous gallantry” during the 76th Republic Day of India. A day before the Republic Day, President Murmu approved Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel, including 11 posthumou awards.
Wing Commander Akshay Saxena secretly airdropped MARCOs to rescue Bulgarian vessel hijacked by Somali pirates
Wing Commander Akshay Saxena has been decorated with the prestigious Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for his demonstration of exceptional aerial prowess and courage to ensure the success of one of the covert anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea last year as a part of Operation Sankalp.
On the 16th of March 2024, Akshay Saxena piloted the C-17 Globemaster aircraft executing a risky task to deliver two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats and a team of 18 Marine Commandos. The MARCOs team was to seize the pirate-controlled Bulgarian ship Ruen which the Somali pirates were using as Mother Vessel. The pirates on MV Ruen not only were launching attacks on merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea but also opened fire at INS Kolkata and had shot down a naval spotter drone on 15th March 2024.
Akshay Saxena’s mission was fraught with challenges, particularly since the drop zone was perilously near the Somalian coast, 1450 Nautical Miles off Mumbai and 540 Nautical Miles out of the Indian Flight Information Region.
Despite the threat of small arms with the Somali pirates and the fact that Wing Commander Akshay Saxena had to fly the C-17 Globemaster aircraft into the airspace of another country unannounced and most importantly, undetected for about 4 hours, Saxena as Captain of the C-17 aircraft ensured a precision airdrop at dusk, that too secretly. For this, Saxena switched off all emitters and flew the aircraft at a low level over high seas and dropped after sundown to avoid detection.
“Due to the time critical and secret nature of the mission, he finalised suitable crew and ensured aircraft readiness for a quick launch. The mission involved real threat of small arms with the pirates over and above the extended mission timelines which involved flying into airspace of another country undeclared and undetected for close to four hours. The Officer as Captain of the C-17 aircraft decided to switch off all emitters, fly low level over high seas in foreign territory and drop at dusk time to avoid detection,” a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence reads.
Even after a last-moment change in drop location, Akshay Saxena guided the crew to safely execute a precision airdrop which led to the rescue of the Bulgarian vessel and its 17 crew members. As the Captain of C-17 aircraft, Akshay Saxena demonstrated sagacious strategic decision-making while under multi-faceted threats. His effective inter-service coordination with the Indian Navy marked his gallantry and ensured the rescue of MV Ruen and its captured crew including 7 Bulgarian citizens from the clutches of the 35 Somali pirates who were captured by the Indian MARCOs.
“Even after receiving the changed drop location only 50 NMs prior to the drop, he guided the crew to safely execute a precision airdrop thus resulting in the capture of the pirates and rescue of MV Ruen with its 17-member crew. He displayed effective inter-service coordination with the Indian Navy while maintaining heightened situational awareness both on the ground and in the air. All possible measures were taken to maintain the secrecy of the almost 10-hour-long mission. During the flawless execution of the extremely gruelling, mission the officer displayed exceptional courage, dynamic leadership, outstanding professionalism and steadfast determination. For his act of indomitable courage and conspicuous gallantry Wing Commander Akshay Saxena is awarded with ‘Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)’,” the Ministry of Defence said.
The operation to rescue MV Ruen and its crew members lasted 40 hours. The Indian warship, INS Subhadra, Sea Guardian high-altitude long-endurance drones and the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft also played a key role. The Indian Airforce deemed the mission as a remarkable display of joint operations and integration, leading to the arrest of all 35 pirates.
On the 16th of March 2024, the Indian Navy spokesperson took to X to inform about the operation against Somali pirates who hijacked MS Ruen and said, “#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high seas. The vessel was intercepted by the #IndianNavy warship on #15Mar. The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions iaw international law, in self-defence & to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender & release the vessel & any civilians they may be holding against their will. The #IndianNavy remains committed to #maritimesecurity & safety of seafarers in the region.”
#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 16, 2024
The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high… pic.twitter.com/gOtQJvNpZb
Back then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reaffirmed India’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. His remarks came in response to a message from Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, expressing gratitude for the safe return of seven Bulgarian nationals.
Appreciate your message President @PresidentOfBg . We are happy that 7 Bulgarian nationals are safe and will be returning home soon. India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. https://t.co/nIUaY6UJjP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2024
Indian forces countering piracy in the Arabian Sea and the extended Indian Ocean Region
The Indian armed forces, particularly in the last decade, have intensified their operations against piracy in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to ensure maritime security. In this direction, Operation Sankalp was launched in 2019. In addition to effectively responding to incidents, the Indian Navy has also sustained a presence in the region to deter piracy. India has deployed 10 warships with MARCOs to deter piracy and drone attacks in the region stretching from the north and central Arabian Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
With its warships like INS Kolkata and others patrolling the waters in IOR, the Indian Navy has been at the forefront of taking measures to deter piracy. The Indian Navy also collaborates with the multinational naval task force Combined Task Force-151 for various anti-piracy operations. On numerous occasions, the Indian naval vessels have not only intercepted pirate vessels but also protected and escorted the merchant ships through pirate-infested regions to ensure a safe passage for international trade. Besides, the Indian Navy also indulges in capacity building, sharing anti-piracy strategies with regional countries to foster a cooperative environment for maritime security.
In January 2024, the Indian Navy rescued the Iranian fishing vessel FV Iman hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. India’s indigenously made INS Sumitra which was deployed to anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia, received FV Iman’s distress signal informing the Indian Navy about pirates boarding the ship and taking the crew hostage. In a prompt action according to the standard operating procedure, the Indian Navy compelled the pirates into deboarding the Iranian vessel. Subsequently, the Indian authorities ensured the safety of the crew and released the Iranian ship for onward transit.
On 30th January 2024, the Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra successfully rescued a hijacked fishing vessel Al Naeemi and the 19 crew members onboard, all Pakistani nationals. The Pakistani vessel was hijacked by 11 Somali pirates, around 800 miles off the coast of Kochi, along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
On 26th January 2024, the British oil tanker MV Merlin Luanda was struck by a missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Following this, the British oil tanker made a distressed call to the Indian Navy which in turn deployed its guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to rescue lives at the high sea.
Before this in the same month, INS Visakhapatnam addressed a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged MV Genco Picardy. It was hit by a drone attack on the night of 17th January 2024.
Earlier in January 2024, all 21 crew members including 15 Indian nationals from the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast were safely evacuated by the Indian Navy. This came after Merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk was hijacked by pirates 300 nautical miles east of Somalia, while it was sailing from Port Du Aco in Brazil and was bound for Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain. The Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed Platforms responded swiftly to the hijacking attempt on board a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier after it received a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel. The Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, to assist the vessel.
In March 2024, the Indian Navy rescued 23 Pakistani nationals from the clutches of Somali pirates during a daring 12-hour-long operation in the Arabian Sea.
In December 2023, the Indian Navy swiftly responded to a hijacking incident in the Arabian Sea. The Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft engaged in surveillance in the region, along with its warship conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, were dispatched to locate and provide assistance to the distressed vessel, MV Ruen, following the receipt of a distress call.
While exact cumulative figures of the Indian Navy saving human lives in its numerous operations over the years is not widely known, Indian forces in their anti-piracy operations particularly those under the aegis of Operation Sankalp have saved the lives of hundreds of seafarers. The inter-force cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Airforce as seen in the case of Akshay Saxena and the IAF supporting the Navy’s operation against the Somali pirates who hijacked MV Ruen, demonstrates a multi-dimensional approach wherein air assets are effectively utilised as a part of maritime security matrix enhancing capacity of rapid deployment and tactical support, especially in discreet operations far from Indian shores.
India’s maritime operations in the IOR showcase the country’s enhancing capabilities in undertaking risky and complex operations across different domains be it air, land or sea against evolving threats including piracy. With the valour of Indian bravehearts like Wing Commander Akshay Saxena, Indian forces are ensuring that the waters in the Indian Ocean Region are less a playground for pirates and more a safe conduit for international trade and peace.
