Indian stealth warship shows presence in Djibouti en route to Brazil

Vishal Thapar Jul 09, 2022

The frontline Indian Navy warship INS Tarkash on July 8 registered presence at the strategically-important Port of Djibouti, close to the Chinese naval base which supports Beijing’s power projection in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Indian stealth warship stopped by at Djibouti en route to Rio de Janeiro on a long-range overseas deployment.

“At the strategically-vital port, Captain Abraham Samuel, Commanding Officer of the ship, called on Shri Ramachandran Chandramouli, Hon'ble Ambassador of India to Djibouti. The Indian Navy maintains continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden region as part of its mission-based deployment philosophy,” the Indian Navy stated.

The Indian Navy is positioned as the pre-eminent local navy in the IOR. It maintains a benign presence as the first responder to any adverse contingency in the Region. Forays by the Chinese PLA Navy into the IOR and the continuous deployment in the Region since 2008, coupled with the Chinese play for influence in India’s maritime backyard have disturbed status quo.

The Chinese naval base located by the Chinese-operated Port of Doraleh to the west of Djibouti City is the PLA Navy’s first overseas military base. It is a big factor in sustaining uninterrupted Chinese presence in the IOR.

Djibouti is strategically situated by the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Gulf of Aden from the Red Sea and sits astride the approaches to the Suez Canal.

“INS Tarkash also conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Sudan Navy ships Almazz (PC 411) and Nimer (PC 413) in the Red Sea near the Sudan Naval Base on 07 July 2022. The exercise included manoeuvres, flying operations for vertical replenishment, visit and board operations, and communication procedures. It provided opportunity for exchange of professional experiences and strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries,” the Indian Navy statement added.

INS Tarkash is en route to Rio de Janerio in Brazil. It’s deployment in Brazil is intended to coincide with the Indian Independence Day, enabling her to hoist the Tricolour in South America on the occasion as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

INS Tarkash is a state-of-the-art platform and has a weapon-sensor fit that enables her address threats in all dimensions. The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, the Navy statement added.