India to deploy aircraft for anti-piracy in the Seychelles

India had promised the Seychelles one Dornier along with two Chetak helicopters in June last year during the visit of Defence Minister A K Antony to the Island nation. The Dornier will soon leave the Indian shores to carry out its duties in Seychelles, Navy officials said here.

In 2009 also, the Indian Navy had deployed one of its offshore patrol vessels--INS Savitri--along with a detachment of marine commandos and Chetak helicopter in the Seychelles to guard the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

After the pirates started moving away from Somalia due to increased presence of Navies in the Gulf of Aden, India has deployed its Navy and the Coast Guard to look after the Central Arabian Sea and adjoining areas.

To deter, dissuade and prevent hijackings in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Navy has deployed a warship continuously in the Gulf of Aden since October, 2008. A couple of pirate mother vessels have also been apprehended and destroyed by the Navy past near Lakshadweep Islands in the last fortnight.