At the forefront of defending these waters is the Indian Navy, which has positioned itself as a powerful net security provider, playing a pivotal role in protecting regional stability and global commerce. With a blend of cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and unyielding commitment, the Indian Navy has developed a multi-pronged strategy to tackle piracy, disrupt organised smuggling networks, and address emerging maritime threats.

The Business of Piracy: A Persistent Menace

Piracy might no longer dominate global headlines, but its shadow looms large over critical maritime chokepoints like the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. These routes are vital arteries for global commerce, and their disruption poses economic risks that ripple across continents.

Since 2008, the Indian Navy has led anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, safely escorting thousands of merchant ships through these treacherous waters. Maintaining a continuous presence has contributed to reclassifying high-risk zones, significantly reducing shipping insurance costs and enabling smoother trade. This proactive approach has made the Indian Navy a preferred partner for shipping companies and a reliable security force in an era of shifting global power dynamics.

Disrupting Smuggling Networks: A $27 Billion Problem

The Indian Ocean is also a conduit for lucrative drug-smuggling operations. In a single operation in November 2024, Indian naval assets intercepted a Myanmarese boat carrying 5.5 tonnes of methamphetamine—a haul valued at over ₹27,500 crore ($3.3 billion). This single seizure eclipses the annual budgets of major national programs, showcasing the sheer scale of the problem.

Smuggling operations, often backed by transnational criminal networks and anti-national entities, pose a direct threat to India’s domestic security. The proceeds from narcotics sales often fund terrorism and organised crime, amplifying the stakes for the Indian Navy. These operations are intelligence-driven and require meticulous coordination across multiple agencies. The Navy has built a robust framework for identifying and intercepting smuggling vessels by leveraging state-of-the-art maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and warships equipped with real-time surveillance capabilities.

Inside the Navy’s Playbook: Tackling Maritime Crime

The Indian Navy employs a multi-layered strategy to address the full spectrum of maritime crime. Its approach can be broken down into four key components:

• Maritime Patrols and Escorts: Regular patrols in high-risk zones and deploying warships to escort merchant vessels ensure the uninterrupted flow of global trade.
• Maritime Intervention Operations (MIOs): The Navy’s elite MARCOS (Marine Commandos) and other Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) personnel execute precision missions to board, inspect, and neutralise suspicious vessels. Their swift actions have rescued hijacked ships and disrupted smuggling attempts.
• Forward Deployment: By stationing warships at critical chokepoints like the Malacca Strait and the Persian Gulf, the Navy maintains a visible deterrent against piracy and smuggling.
• Global Partnerships: Membership in international coalitions such as the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has amplified the Navy’s reach. Initiatives like the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) enhance real-time intelligence-sharing with allied nations.

The Economic and Geopolitical Stakes

The Indian Navy’s role in securing the Indian Ocean transcends the realm of security—it has significant economic and geopolitical implications. The Indian Ocean connects the economies of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, making its stability essential for global markets. Any disruption in these waters could lead to skyrocketing shipping costs, energy insecurity, and cascading supply chain challenges. 

India’s proactive maritime security efforts protect its trade routes and bolster its reputation as a regional leader. As a resident power in the Indian Ocean, India’s naval presence supports global energy supply chains. It ensures the smooth movement of goods—a critical factor in maintaining investor confidence and regional economic growth.

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite its successes, the Indian Navy faces evolving challenges. Maritime crime’s covert and transnational nature demands seamless intelligence-sharing and agency coordination. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which exploited gaps in India’s coastal security, highlighted the urgent need for integrated maritime surveillance and stronger coastal policing.

The Navy must continue investing in advanced technologies, expand its operational footprint, and foster deeper partnerships with regional and global stakeholders. Strengthening the interoperability of naval assets with allied forces will be crucial in countering increasingly sophisticated maritime threats.

Charting a Course for Maritime Leadership

The Indian Navy has emerged as a powerful guardian of the high seas, blending operational excellence with strategic foresight. From dismantling smuggling networks to deterring piracy, its actions underpin the security of one of the world’s most vital maritime domains.

As India continues its ascent as a global economic powerhouse, the Navy’s role as a net security provider will become even more critical. With its eyes firmly on the horizon, the Indian Navy sets a benchmark for maritime security, ensuring that the high seas remain a realm of opportunity, not threat, for the international community.

Author

Aritra Banerjee is a Defence, Foreign Affairs & Aerospace Journalist, Co-Author of the book ‘The Indian Navy @75: Reminiscing the Voyage’ and was the Co-Founder of Mission Victory India (MVI), a new-age military reforms think-tank. He has worked in TV, Print and Digital media, and has been a columnist writing on strategic affairs for national and international publications. His reporting career has seen him covering major Security and Aviation events in Europe and travelling across Kashmir conflict zones. Twitter: @Aritrabanned

Questions covered in this episode:

1. Introduction to subject matter expert.
2. Can you give us an overview of Synspective’s journey since its founding in 2018? What inspired the focus on SAR satellites?
3. As a SAR satellite operator in the NewSpace era what challenges do you face in designing, building, and launching its SAR satellite fleet, as well as in terms of developing solutions and recording good sales for your solutions/services?
4. Can you share some real-world use cases where Synspective’s SAR data and solutions have driven impactful decisions?
5. With the growing importance of earth observation in global challenges, how is Synspective working with governments or international organizations to address critical issues?
6. In terms of data privacy and security, how does Synspective ensure that the sensitive information captured by its SAR satellites is protected?
7. How do you see Synspective‘s technology evolving in the future? Are there any new satellite launches or innovations on the horizon?

About the guest speaker:

Stefan Chelariu joined Synspective in April 2020 as an Embedded Software Engineer in the Satellite System Development Department. In 2021, he became one of the team leaders, and in 2023, he was appointed the General Manager of Satellite System Development No. 1. In this role, Stefan oversees the development of the StriX satellites as well as their operation.

Prior to joining Synspective, Stefan was the General Manager of the Development Department at Tranzas Inc. in Yokohama, Japan. Working with multinational teams from Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, he managed the development of the company’s IoT products that were used in building management systems.

Originally from Romania, Stefan moved to Japan in 2014. In Romania, he worked as a freelance embedded systems engineer and co-founded Radian Technology SRL.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

In this episode, we discuss one of the most critical regions shaping the future of global stability. As the Indo-Pacific emerges as a central hub for international trade, military alliances, and geopolitical maneuvering, we explore how nations within the region are influencing global peace and security. From maritime security and freedom of navigation to the strategic interests of major powers like the US, China, India, and Japan, we analyze the complex dynamics at play. Join us as we unpack the region’s evolving role in fostering cooperation, mitigating conflicts, and addressing pressing challenges such as territorial disputes and power competition.

Questions covered in this episode:

1. In what ways has China’s Belt and Road Initiative impacted the Indo-Pacific’s political and economic landscape?
2. What is the role of regional alliances and partnerships, like the Quad and AUKUS, in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific?
3. How is climate change affecting security and geopolitical stability in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in vulnerable island nations?
4. What are the potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific that could trigger wider conflicts, and how can they be mitigated?
5. How do global institutions like the United Nations and international law shape the resolution of disputes and conflicts in the Indo-Pacific?
6. What message would you like to give to the researchers, students, and experts working in the international affairs and security domain?

About the guest speaker:

Dr. Joanna Siekiera is an international lawyer and works as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, War Studies University in Warsaw, Poland. She is also a fellow at the US Marine Corps University in Quantico and supports various military institutions, primarily NATO, as a legal advisor.

Dr. Siekiera did her postdoctoral research at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen, Norway, and Ph.D. studies in New Zealand at the Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington. She worked in Polish diplomatic missions in Canada and Estonia.

She is the author of over 100 scientific publications in several languages, legal opinions for the Polish Ministry of Justice, the book “Regional Policy in the South Pacific”, and the editor of 9 monographs on international law, international relations, and security. Her areas of expertise are the law of armed conflict (lawfare, legal culture in armed conflict, NATO legal framework) and the Indo-Pacific region, Pacific law, and maritime security.

Dr. Siekiera took part in over 80 interviews and podcasts promoting science, interdisciplinary, and multidimensional research. She speaks 8 languages and currently is learning Chinese.

1. “Europe’s Role in Indo-Pacific Security with Dr. Joanna Siekiera” Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) 18.07.2024 [USA]
2. “21st Century as the Pacific Century” New Books Network 18.06.2024 [USA]
3. “Decoding Crisis in the Indo-Pacific | Dr. Joanna Siekiera | Exclusive Interview” The Prode 24.05.2024 [United Kingdom]
4. “Joanna Siekiera on China” Cognitive Crucible Podcast 18.03.2024 [USA]
5. “Dragons in the West: Chinese Communist Party Threats in Europe and the Imperative of a Strategic Pivot” Irregular Warfare Initiative 27.02.2024 [USA].

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

Questions covered in this episode:

1. Introduction to subject matter expert.
2. Why is the Indo-Pacific considered one of the most strategically important regions for global peace and security?
3. How has the Indo-Pacific evolved in recent years as a center of geopolitical tension and cooperation?
4. What role do major powers like the U.S., China, India, Australia, and Japan play in shaping security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific?
5. Can you also tell us about the interest of NATO countries in the Indo-Pacific region?
6. How does maritime security in the Indo-Pacific influence global trade routes and economic stability?
7. How do smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific, such as those in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, navigate the influence of larger powers in the region?

About the guest speaker:

Dr. Joanna Siekiera is an international lawyer and works as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, War Studies University in Warsaw, Poland. She is also a fellow at the US Marine Corps University in Quantico and supports various military institutions, primarily NATO, as a legal advisor.

Dr. Siekiera did her postdoctoral research at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen, Norway, and Ph.D. studies in New Zealand at the Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington. She worked in Polish diplomatic missions in Canada and Estonia.

She is the author of over 100 scientific publications in several languages, legal opinions for the Polish Ministry of Justice, the book “Regional Policy in the South Pacific”, and the editor of 9 monographs on international law, international relations, and security. Her areas of expertise are the law of armed conflict (lawfare, legal culture in armed conflict, NATO legal framework) and the Indo-Pacific region, Pacific law, and maritime security.

Dr. Siekiera took part in over 80 interviews and podcasts promoting science, interdisciplinary, and multidimensional research. She speaks 8 languages and currently is learning Chinese.

1. “Europe’s Role in Indo-Pacific Security with Dr. Joanna Siekiera” Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) 18.07.2024 [USA]
2. “21st Century as the Pacific Century” New Books Network 18.06.2024 [USA]
3. “Decoding Crisis in the Indo-Pacific | Dr. Joanna Siekiera | Exclusive Interview” The Prode 24.05.2024 [United Kingdom]
4. “Joanna Siekiera on China” Cognitive Crucible Podcast 18.03.2024 [USA]
5. “Dragons in the West: Chinese Communist Party Threats in Europe and the Imperative of a Strategic Pivot” Irregular Warfare Initiative 27.02.2024 [USA].

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

In this episode, we explore Europe’s evolving strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on its geopolitical and economic interests. As global power shifts increasingly towards Asia, the European Union and key member states are developing policies to enhance their presence and influence. We’ll dive into the challenges Europe faces, including balancing relations with China, ensuring maritime security, and fostering partnerships with regional players like Japan and India. Join us as we analyze the strategic goals, the realities on the ground, and the potential long-term impact of Europe’s Indo-Pacific engagement. Watch the full episode below:

Questions covered in the podcast:

1. What impact does Europe’s approach in the Indo-Pacific have on its relationships with ASEAN countries? 
2. How does Europe balance its Indo-Pacific ambitions with its ties to China, especially considering economic dependencies? 
3. How do considerations regarding the transatlantic relationship influence European approaches to the Indo-Pacific? 
4. What role does digital and technological cooperation play in Europe’s Indo-Pacific engagement? 
5. What are the long-term prospects for Europe’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, and how might they evolve? 
6. Now that we have covered the topic in-depth, let’s turn to work in the international relations domain. Which message or advice would you give to researchers, students, and experts?

About the guest speaker:

Gesine Weber is a fellow on GMF’s Geostrategy team, where she works on European security and defense issues. Based in Paris, she focuses on EU defense initiatives, security and defense policy of the E3 (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom), and Europe’s role in the global order.

During a 2024 fellowship at the Arnold A. Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies at Columbia University, Weber led a research project on European balancing in the Indo-Pacific in the context of US-China competition.

Prior to joining GMF, she worked as a defense policy adviser at the German parliament and as a consultant for the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation in Shanghai. Weber is pursuing a PhD in defense studies at King’s College London, where she is part of the European Foreign Policy Research Group and contributes to the work of the Centre for Grand Strategy. She is an associate researcher for the European Council on Foreign Relations and a nonresident Hans J. Morgenthau Fellow at the Notre Dame Center for International Security.

Weber holds a master’s degree in European affairs from Sciences Po in Paris and another master’s degree in political science from the Freie Universität Berlin. She studied Mandarin at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Her writing and commentary appears regularly in English, French, and German in European and other international media, including the BBC, the Neue Züercher Zeitung, Politico, and France 24.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

Questions covered in the podcast:

1. Introduction to subject matter expert.
2. Can you please define what is Indo-Pacific and what are the main strategic goals driving Europe’s interest in the Indo-Pacific region? 
3. How do individual European countries, like France and Germany, as well as the UK, approach the Indo-Pacific differently from the EU as a whole? 
4. What are the key challenges Europe faces in implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy? And how does Europe’s roadmap align or conflict with the strategies of major players like the U.S., China, and India? 
5. What role does economic partnership play in Europe’s Indo-Pacific ambitions, particularly in terms of maritime economy, security, trade, and investment? 
6. How significant is the role of security and defense cooperation in Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy? 

About the guest speaker:

Gesine Weber is a fellow on GMF’s Geostrategy team, where she works on European security and defense issues. Based in Paris, she focuses on EU defense initiatives, security and defense policy of the E3 (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom), and Europe’s role in the global order.

During a 2024 fellowship at the Arnold A. Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies at Columbia University, Weber led a research project on European balancing in the Indo-Pacific in the context of US-China competition.

Prior to joining GMF, she worked as a defense policy adviser at the German parliament and as a consultant for the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation in Shanghai. Weber is pursuing a PhD in defense studies at King’s College London, where she is part of the European Foreign Policy Research Group and contributes to the work of the Centre for Grand Strategy. She is an associate researcher for the European Council on Foreign Relations and a nonresident Hans J. Morgenthau Fellow at the Notre Dame Center for International Security.

Weber holds a master’s degree in European affairs from Sciences Po in Paris and another master’s degree in political science from the Freie Universität Berlin. She studied Mandarin at the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Her writing and commentary appears regularly in English, French, and German in European and other international media, including the BBC, the Neue Züercher Zeitung, Politico, and France 24.

If you find our podcast insightful, please like, share, and subscribe on ⁠⁠www.accesshub.space and ⁠www.oknikam.eu⁠.

Airbus is to deliver the five-bladed H145s to PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) in accordance with the agreement between the Indonesian Air Force and PTDI. PTDI will oversee the reassembly and completion of the mission equipment as well as other customization work at its facility in Bandung, Indonesia, before delivering the aircraft to the air force. These multipurpose helicopters will be used for both light search and rescue operations and military training.

“That Indonesia has chosen to add the nation’s first Airbus H145 to its new training fleet is an honour for us. We have no doubts that the incredibly adaptable H145 will have a favourable  impact in enhancing its military pilot training and at the same time be a critical enabler for its search-and-rescue operations. With a trusted partner in PTDI, we look forward to working together in support of Indonesia’s fleet,” said Vincent Dubrule, Head of Asia-Pacific, Airbus Helicopters.

In appreciation for the Indonesian Air Force’s purchase of H145 helicopters for its training modernization program, Gita Amperiawan, President and Director of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), expressed her gratitude. Through this agreement, PTDI’s integration and assembly capabilities are strengthened and Airbus and PTDI’s long-standing relationship is strengthened, enabling the expansion of Indonesia’s aerospace industry.

Indonesia and Airbus have worked together for almost 50 years, beginning with the NBO-105 helicopter in 1976. Since then, PTDI has grown to be a significant supplier, adding support services for Indonesian aircraft manufacturing and military.

The most recent H145 model has a five-bladed rotor, which increases its useable load by 150 kg and enhances comfort and maintenance ease. With 7.9 million flight hours and more than 1,700 operational H145 helicopters, the Helionix digital avionics suite improves safety.

In a recent test flight, Northrop Grumman’s unmanned Triton aircraft departed from Deadhorse, Alaska, and travelled within 100 miles of the North Pole. The flight successfully demonstrated Triton’s capacity to travel in the Arctic by making use of Northrop Grumman’s exclusive navigation systems, mission management computer, and enhanced operational flight programs. While staying inside U.S. and Canadian airspace, the aircraft collected navigation data over the course of its five-hour journey. Additionally, the test verified initialization and alignment protocols for ground-based GPS, allowing for operations from runways north of 70 degrees latitude. Because Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance platform, it can operate above Arctic winds and circumvents the speed and range constraints that arise at middle altitudes, making it an excellent choice for missions in the High North.

The multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton was developed for the Royal Australian Air Force and the United States Navy. It is capable of performing a variety of duties, such as maritime patrol, signals intelligence, and search and rescue. Compared to medium-altitude systems, these aircraft can operate at a greater altitude and have a longer endurance. In order to provide an exponential increase in mission information, they also integrate simultaneous multi-intelligence sensor operations.

The “MIMO Air” project came to an end with the flight tests conducted at the DLR’s National Experimental Test Centre for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt. A number of project participants, led by HENSOLDT, created and approved the research prototype for a “Air Traffic Monitoring and Management System” (ATMMS). New developments were made in a few key areas.

HENSOLDT’s MIMO radar system, combining a radar sensor and post-processor, provides obstacle detection, navigation, and landing aid for flying platforms. Using AI, the cognitive system adapts to changing environments and optimizes limited resources. MIMO, or “multiple-input, multiple-output,” expands signal reception without increasing the radar’s physical size, ensuring a compact design. Maurice Tennigkeit, Project Manager, highlighted the successful flight test, marking a key step toward integrating air taxis into German airspace.

HENSOLDT led the ‘MIMO Air’ project, with contributions from DLR, Fraunhofer Institute FHR, Humatects GmbH, and DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), the project focuses on advancing radar technology for future aviation.