The Indian Navy successfully thwarted a piracy attempt on the merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal after INS Trikand, a mission-deployed stealth frigate, responded swiftly to a distress call in the Gulf of Aden.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged bulk carrier, carrying 21 crew members, including one Indian national, reported an attempted pirate attack on 1 July 2026 while transiting from Aden, Yemen, approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti. The incident was coordinated through the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), following which INS Trikand was tasked to intercept the vessel.
During the attack, the vessel sustained damage to its bridge superstructure and adjoining compartments. The crew took refuge inside the ship’s citadel and remained safe throughout the incident.
On the morning of 2 July, a boarding team of Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) from INS Trikand boarded MV Golden Arsenal to sanitise the vessel and assess the situation. Following a comprehensive search, no suspicious personnel were found onboard. The crew subsequently emerged safely from the citadel and, together with the naval team, carried out an assessment of the vessel’s condition.
To strengthen the operation, the Indian Navy also deployed a P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, enhancing maritime domain awareness and supporting the anti-piracy mission.
With the vessel declared secure and the immediate threat neutralised, MV Golden Arsenal resumed its onward voyage. The operation once again highlighted the Indian Navy’s swift response capability and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring the safety of seafarers in the Indian Ocean Region, irrespective of nationality.
