Indian Naval Ship Trikand, a mission-deployed stealth frigate operating in the Gulf of Aden, successfully responded to a piracy attempt on MV Golden Arsenal, a St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged bulk carrier, on July 1, 2026. The incident occurred approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti while the merchant vessel was transiting from Aden, Yemen.
The piracy attempt was reported in coordination with the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which directed INS Trikand to intercept the merchant vessel. MV Golden Arsenal sustained damage to its bridge superstructure and adjoining compartments during the attack. All 21 crew members aboard, including one Indian national, had taken shelter in the vessel's citadel and were reported safe throughout the incident.
On the morning of July 2, 2026, a boarding team from INS Trikand embarked MV Golden Arsenal to sanitize the vessel and assess the situation. Following a thorough search, no suspicious personnel were found onboard. The crew safely exited the citadel and collaborated with Indian Navy personnel to assess the vessel's condition. To augment the operation, the Indian Navy deployed a P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in the area, enhancing maritime domain awareness and supporting the anti-piracy response.
With the vessel sanitized and the immediate threat neutralized, anti-piracy operations by INS Trikand concluded. MV Golden Arsenal subsequently resumed its onward voyage. The Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy, and ensuring the safety and security of all seafarers in the region regardless of nationality, as part of its continued dedication to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
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