The Indian Navy announced late Monday that it intends to deploy guided-missile destroyers in the Arabian Sea after an Israeli commercial ship was attacked off the Indian coast over the weekend, in an effort "to maintain a deterrent presence." The statement indicated that the Indian Navy is investigating the nature of the attack on the Kim Bloout ship, which docked in Mumbai on Monday. Initial reports suggested a drone attack.
The statement continued, "Further forensic and technical analysis will be needed to determine the source of the attack, including the type and amount of explosives used." A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the U.S. claim that Iran attacked the ship near India is "baseless."
The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) stated on Saturday that a drone launched from Iran struck the Kim Bloout in the Indian Ocean. This strike occurred as a U.S.-led task force is attempting to address similar challenges in the Red Sea.
The Indian Navy's statement noted, "In light of the recent wave of attacks in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed guided-missile destroyers Mormugao, Kochi, and Kolkata to various areas to maintain a deterrent presence." The Indian Navy added that a joint investigation into the attack is being conducted by different agencies after an explosives ordnance team completed its analysis. The crew of the ship consists of 21 Indians and one Vietnamese.
