Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kolkata on Wednesday foiled a suspected piracy attempt in the vicinity of merchant vessel MV Mashallah 1 in the Western Indian Ocean.
Responding swiftly to inputs of pirate activity near merchant vessel MV Mashallah 1, INS Kolkata, mission deployed in the Western Indian Ocean (around the Gulf of Aden), undertook prompt action to investigate and deter the threat. The investigation was conducted using the helicopter on-board INS Kolkata, as well as the boarding operations by the ship's crew.
The timely intervention ensured the safety of the merchant vessel and prevented a possible piracy attack. Following the incident, the Indian Navy reaffirmed its committment to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring safe and secure seas.
Since 2008, the Indian Navy has maintained a continuous anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden.
INS Kolkata was commissioned into the Indian Navy in August 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A Guided Missile Destroyer with an array of Gunnery and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Weapons, INS Kolkata is the largest warship built indigenously. The ship is fitted with medium-range and short-range guns, anti-air and surface missiles, air and surface surveillance radar, as well as a bow-mounted sonar. Modern navigation and communication systems have also been installed on board the ship.
The ship is equipped with sophisticated digital networks such as ATM based Integrated Ship Data Network (AISDN), Auxiliary Control System (ACS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS) and Combat Management System (CMS).
The AISDN is the information highway on which data from all the sensors and weapons ride. Whilst remote control and monitoring of machinery is achieved through ACS, the intricate power supply management is done using APMS. The CMS is used to integrate information from its own data sources and collate information from other platforms using an indigenous data-link system to provide maritime domain awareness.
The unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenisation achieved, with most of the systems onboard sourced from within the country, which has generated a sound vendor base for future ships.
Published on May 27, 2026