New Delhi also uses long-range maritime patrol aircraft for "domain awareness," the defense ministry reported Monday night.

On Saturday, the Liberian-flagged MV Chem Pluto, a Japanese-owned tanker traveling 370km off the coast of India, was reportedly hit by a kamikaze drone, according to the Pentagon.

The Israeli-linked tanker had been on its way from Saudi Arabia to India, according to maritime security firm Ambrey. The Indian Navy says they are examining the specifics of the attack on the MV Chem Puto, which managed to anchor in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Although Indian officials say a preliminary evaluation suggests a drone strike, they emphasize that additional forensic and technical examinations are necessary to determine the exact method of attack.

Washington blamed the attack on Iran, saying the drone had been launched "directly" from the Islamic Republic. "We declare these claims completely worthless," said Nasser Kanaani, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, on Monday.

"Such claims are aimed at projecting, distracting public attention, and covering up for the full support of the US government for the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza," he added.

Saturday's drone attack came less than a week after the US announced the formation of the so-called Operation Prosperity Guardian, described by US officials as a new "coalition of the willing" that seeks to counter the threat posed by Yemen in the Red Sea.

Although the Yemeni armed forces have been conducting the attacks against Israeli-linked vessels of their own accord, the Pentagon insists Iran is somehow involved.