India has reportedly deployed INS Dhruv, a highly specialised missile-tracking and ocean surveillance vessel, in the Arabian Sea amid indications of a potential Pakistani missile test.
The move comes after Pakistan issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and declared a large exclusion zone spanning nearly 415–450 km near key coastal areas including Karachi and Gwadar, suggesting preparations for a strategic missile launch.
INS Dhruv, equipped with advanced radar and electronic intelligence systems, is designed to track missile launches, collect telemetry data, and monitor strategic weapons activity in real time.
Reports suggest the vessel was deployed just hours before Pakistan’s declared test window, indicating a calculated move to observe and gather critical data from the potential launch.
While neither side has officially confirmed details, the development highlights a growing intelligence-driven maritime rivalry between India and Pakistan, with the Arabian Sea emerging as a key strategic theatre.
Experts note that such deployments are less about direct confrontation and more about data, surveillance, and strategic signalling, reflecting the evolving nature of modern military competition in the region.
