USCGC Bertholf and an ICG offshore patrol vessel sail together during Sea Defenders 2024.
U.S. and Indian Coast Guards held this year’s Sea Defender with recent events in the Red Sea in mind, training against both drone and piracy threats…Taking place off the Malacca Strait off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) and Indian Coast Guard vessels and aircraft held several maritime security activities in port and at sea over four days. This exercise also marked the first time a U.S. Coast Guard vessel visited New Delhi’s southernmost territory, strategically located at the entrance to the Malacca Strait between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard both operate large numbers of Offshore Patrol Vessels. Established in 1978, the Indian Coast Guard has been growing rapidly and is now one of the largest in the world. Following the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attack, which came by sea, the Indian Coast Guard grew even more rapidly.
The Indian Coast Guard now operates 27 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), all commissioned within the last 28 years, 18 within the last ten years. The Indian CG has ordered six more. The Indian Navy also operates ten OPVs, all commissioned in the last 35 years, four commissioned within the last eleven years. The Indian Navy has ordered eleven more OPVs.
The US Coast Guard operates, I believe, 36 OPVs now, soon to be 34. Only six of those have been commissioned in the last ten years. 26 of the USCG OPVs are over 33 years old.
The NSCs are doing things we would have never expected when they were conceived.
As included in this exercise, it appears there is an emerging requirement for the Coast Guard to be prepared to counter unmanned systems of various types, both for self defense and for the defense of maritime assets. Unmanned systems are likely the weapon of choice for future terrorist attacks.
Of all Coast Guard assets, the large cutters are currently the most capable against the various types of one-way attack unmanned systems, but they are unlikely to be involved in the most likely scenarios. Attacks on passenger ships, submarines, or aircraft carriers, during transit from port to open sea seem most probable. Here we are decidedly unprepared, but perhaps PATFORSWA is leading the way.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Here is the Coast Guard news release on this interaction.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf departs Port Blair, India, conducts exercise with Indian Coast Guard > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases (uscg.mil)
March 19, 2024U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf departs Port Blair, India, conducts exercise with Indian Coast Guard
PORT BLAIR, India – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) departed Port Blair, India, Saturday morning, and conducted two-day exercise ‘Sea Defender 2024,’ with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Bertholf’s stop in Port Blair marks the first time a U.S. Coast Guard cutter has called upon the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
During the port call, the crew of the Bertholf participated in multiple professional engagements and training opportunities. Bertholf crew and Indian Coast Guard members participated in operation ‘Sea Defender 2024,’ a two-day at-sea exercise designed to build upon best practices and strengthen maritime partnerships.
The at-sea exercise included multiple Indian Coast Guard vessels, including the ICG flagship Shaurya, homeported in Chennai. The exercises simulated responses to ship attacks, shipboard damage control evolutions, pollution responses, counter drug interdiction, security boardings, flight operations, and an overnight group sail with the ICG vessel, Vishwast across the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
During the ‘Sea Defender 2024’ exercises, four Bertholf members sailed with the ICG vessel Shaurya and four ICG members sailed onboard Bertholf. This shiprider opportunity provided the crews with the ability to observe operations aboard each other’s vessel.
Upon arrival to Port Blair, the Bertholf crew were met by National Cadet Corps members from the local area waving flags, a band, and a brief reception on the pier. Bertholf officers attended a formal reception at the regional India Coast Guard headquarters, where the crew was able to watch a ceremonial dance, participate in a gift exchange, and connect over professional dialogue with numerous senior staff members from the Indian Coast Guard, including Inspector General Neeraj Tiwari, Commander Indian Coast Guard, Andaman and Nicobar Region.
“As the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to call on Port Blair, we feel very fortunate and thrilled to engage directly with our partners here,” said Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of the Bertholf. “Participating in ‘Sea Defender 2024’ was a tremendous way for the Bertholf crew and the Indian Coast Guard crew to collaborate in an operational setting. The Indian Coast Guard is a stabilizing force in the region and the U.S. Coast Guard remains steadfast in supporting our partners in the Indo-Pacific.”
The crew of the Bertholf is operating as part of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71, U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening maritime partnerships and enhancing maritime safety and security.