An Indian warship, INS Tamal, was spotted in Finnish territorial waters and is now in the Gulf of Bothnia near Härnösand. The Finnish Navy reports no illegal activities, though the ship's origin and purpose remain unknown. The vessel, typical of military ships, travels without an AIS transmitter, often in darkness.
Mysterious Indian Warship in the Gulf of Bothnia: 'In Darkness'
Mysterious Indian Warship in the Gulf of Bothnia: 'In Darkness'
The Indian warship INS Tamal moved through Finnish territorial waters on Friday morning. It is now located in the Gulf of Bothnia, near Härnösand.
- "It is not a typical ship in this area," says Markus Malila of the Finnish Navy to Ilta-Sanomat.
The ship was observed early in the morning in the Finnish Gulf of Bothnia. According to the Finnish Navy, the ship is not suspected of any territorial violations or other illegal activities, writes Ilta-Sanomat.
- "This is not a typical ship in this area, but we suspect no illegal activities," says the Navy's communications chief Markus Malila to the newspaper.
The exact origin and purpose of the ship are unknown. According to Markus Malila, the navy has been in contact with the ship, which has reported that it was heading towards the Gulf of Bothnia.
'Warships Often Travel in Darkness'
The ship has not appeared on regular traffic monitoring sites, which is common for military vessels, according to Markus Malila.
- "Warships often travel in darkness, so to speak, without AIS transmitters."
The Finnish Navy continues to monitor the ship. According to the latest report from the navy, it is currently in the Gulf of Finland.
But according to Markus Malila, the ship has not broken any laws.
- "There is nothing unusual about the situation so far. The ship is sailing in accordance with international maritime law."