New Delhi: Amid escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, the Indian Navy has positioned its advanced guided-missile destroyer INS Surat in the Gulf of Oman. This strategic deployment under Operation Sankalp is primed for potential evacuation of stranded Indian nationals in the volatile Middle East region.
The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted international flights and maritime trade routes, leaving thousands of Indians marooned. While special evacuation flights are operational, the Navy’s warships stand ready as a critical backup. INS Surat, fully alert, boasts stealth capabilities that allow it to evade enemy radars while executing rescue missions.
Equipped with BrahMos anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems for 32 surface-to-air missiles, and advanced surveillance radars, the 163-meter-long vessel displaces 7,400 tons and cruises at 30 knots powered by four gas turbines. Its anti-submarine rocket and torpedo launchers further enhance its versatility for combat and relief operations.
India’s naval presence in the region dates back to 2017 with Mission Deployment, featuring six warships across key chokepoints. Operation Sankalp guards the Gulf of Oman, vital for 80% of India’s energy imports, while anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden secure 90% of other trade routes.
The Navy’s track record shines in past evacuations: Operation Kaveri from Sudan in 2023, Samudra Setu during COVID-19 from Gulf nations, Maldives, and Sri Lanka in 2020, Operation Rahat from Yemen in 2015, Safe Homecoming from Libya in 2011, and Operation Sukoon from Lebanon in 2006. These missions safely repatriated thousands.
Additional deployments near Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman-Nicobar, and Bengal Gulf ensure comprehensive maritime security, joint exercises with allies, and rapid response to piracy or disasters. As regional instability mounts, INS Surat symbolizes India’s unwavering commitment to its citizens’ safety.