Maritime Security Threats (Hybrid)

Overview

Maritime security threats of hybrid nature refer to an action conducted in the maritime domain by state or non‑state actors whose goal is to undermine or harm a target by combining overt and covert military and non‑military means, conventional capabilities, irregular tactics and formations, indiscriminate violence and coercion, as well as criminal disorder.

Such maritime security threats include the usage of conventional military weapons like rockets, missiles, artillery, floating mines, limpet mines etc. and unconventional measures like Water Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIEDs), Remote Controlled WBIEDs (RCWBIEDs), Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones), and Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs).

Attacks using Missiles / Projectiles (9) were predominantly monitored in 2025, followed by few incidents of suspicious approaches (2), threat over radio and one vessel detention (1 each).

While the overall number of incidents remained low, the severity was significant. The severity was alarming. This was particularly evident during the attacks involving vessels such as MV MAGIC SEAS (struck by armed skiffs carrying uncrewed explosives) and MV ETERNITY C (co-ordinated attack in July involving UAVs, rocket‑propelled grenades, and explosive surface craft. Despite the reduction in incidents, regional tensions continue to shape the maritime domain, and the security situation in West Asia remains fluid, requiring sustained monitoring.

Comprehensive Intelligence

Structured analysis of maritime security incidents across the Indian Ocean Region

Incident Overview

Key Insight: Hybrid maritime security attacks declined in frequency in 2025 but increased in severity

The escalating challenges posed by hybrid maritime security threats are characterised by a combination of overt and covert military and non-military means. The analysis of incidents revealed that the overall frequency of attacks declined throughout 2025. However, the limited number of attacks that did occur were marked by heightened severity, as demonstrated by incidents involving MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C, which highlighted the disproportionate impact and elevated risk associated with such targeted events.

Threat Environment Focus

Key Insight: Navigational confidence showed cautious improvement in 2025

📈

While the gradual return of large container vessels to the Suez Canal later in the year signaled cautious improvement in navigational confidence, the overall threat landscape remained fluid. These developments reinforce the need for sustained multinational naval presence, enhanced situational awareness, proactive risk assessments, and strict adherence to best practices to mitigate the continuing risks posed by hybrid maritime threats.

Geographic Concentration Focus

Key Insight: Hybrid maritime security incidents fell sharply in 2025

⚓

In 2025, the Centre recorded 13 hybrid Maritime Security Threat incidents, representing a sharp decline from the 273 incidents reported in 2024, with most occurrences concentrated in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Despite the reduced frequency, several high-profile attacks reflected an escalation in tactics, resulting in casualties, damage to commercial vessels, and heightened risks to seafarer safety. The spillover effects of these conflict-driven threats extended beyond the immediate area, disrupting global shipping routes, increasing freight and insurance costs, and contributing to navigational challenges such as GPS interference and increased “dark ship” activity. These conditions also indirectly created security gaps that enabled a limited resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia.