Pirates
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John Sansom
New Member
Thanks, gvg, and that's where I'm going.
A news update on the Neustrashimiy. The Somalian government has officially given Russian permission to perform anti-piracy missions. And teh Neustrashimiy will has beung patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20081028/153921814.html
http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20081027/153901031.html
http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20081027/153876710.html
http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20081028/153921814.html
http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20081027/153901031.html
http://rian.ru/defense_safety/20081027/153876710.html
Another quick update, a Baltic Fleet tanker is delivering supplies to the Neustrashimiy.
http://www.vz.ru/society/2008/11/5/226271.html
Also the article mentions plans to send a number of Pacific Fleet ships out on patrol in various parts of the world.
http://www.vz.ru/society/2008/11/5/226271.html
Also the article mentions plans to send a number of Pacific Fleet ships out on patrol in various parts of the world.
I understand a multinational task force is now operating off the Gulf of Aden. Incuding NATO and Russian vessels. Judging by the article below (Russian and RN vessel involved) the posture adopted by the taskforce appears to be a more confrontational one at last.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article5141745.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article5141745.ece
Grand Danois
Entertainer
Good work by the Royal Marines.
Indian Navy is on equal footing with any other on this issue.
Wednesday November 12, 2008 - NEW DELHI: In dramatic action on the high seas, an Indian warship with its armed helicopter and elite marine commandos repulsed in quick succession attempts made by different bands of gun-toting pirates to hijack a Saudi and a Mumbai-based merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on Tuesday morning.
INS Tabar, a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate, was cruising in the Gulf of Aden at about 10 am when it got a frantic distress call from Saudi Arabian chemical and oil carrier NCC Tihama.
Tihamas call said two to three high-speed boats, with several armed men, were trying to hijack the ship which was headed westwards. An armed Chetak helicopter, with four marine commandos, was immediately launched from INS Tabar, said a senior Navy officer.
Even as the Chetak hovered over Tihama, the marine commandos opened fire with their automatic weapons at the pirates trying to board the Saudi tankship after surrounding it. Deterred by the fire, the pirates promptly turned tail and fled in their speedboats into Somali waters.
It was around this time10.30 am or sowhen the Chetak was still in the air, that INS Tabar received another SOS call. This time, the message was that Indian merchant vessel Jag Arnav — which is owned by the Mumbai-based Great Eastern Company and was eastward bound after transiting through the Suez Canal a few days earlier — was being ambushed by another band of pirates in two boats about 60 nautical miles east of Aden.
The Chetak was then diverted towards Jag Arnavs position, about 25 nautical miles away from INS Tabars location, with instructions to Tihama to follow the Indian frigate for safety.
There was no need to fire even warning shots this time. Seeing the helicopter approach Jag Arnav, which had a 25-member crew, the pirates promptly jettisoned their hijack plans and sped away, said the officer.
INS Tabar then escorted the 38,265-tonne Jag Arnav — which was carrying a consignment of barley from Odessa (Russia) to Jubail (Saudi Arabia) — to safety. Many of the crew members on board Jag Arnav are from Mumbai.
When the master noticed a couple of boats following the ship, he sent an SMS to INS Tabar, which immediately swung into the rescue act, said Anjali Kumar, corporate communications chief of Great Eastern.
Lauding the near-simultaneous operations carried out by his force, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said, Piracy is a crime which all men of war are required to combat at all times.
Indian naval ships operating in piracy-infested areas are always in a high state of alert and have the capability to intervene by air and ship-borne weapons. Their mandate is to ensure that the safety of our sovereign assets is maintained, he added.
Indian warships, as reported earlier by TOI, have been patrolling the Gulf of Aden since last month to protect Indian merchant vessels transiting through this vital trade route and strategic choke-point from pirates.
The decision to deploy warships in the region was taken by the government after Somali pirates hijacked Japanese-owned Stolt Valor on September 15. The fate of the 18 Indians on board Stolt Valor, however, still hangs in the balance, with the pirates demanding a ransom upwards of $2.5 million to free them.
Operating mainly from the Somali ports of Eyl and Hobyo, pirates have created havoc for international shipping, having attacked 83 ships since January andhijacking 33 of them.
Despite increased cooperation among different navies, with even taskforces from the US and the European Union operating in the region, the pirates have continued their attacks with impunity. In the latest incident, a Philippines chemical tanker was seized near Somalia on Monday.
India, too, is contributing its might to deter piracy by patrolling the normal route followed by Indian flagships during passage from Salalah (Oman) to Aden (Yemen) as well as by coordinating with other foreign navies.
The problem, however, is that while Indian warships can patrol the Gulf of Aden, they cannot enter the territorial waters of Somalia, where the 18 Indians are being held hostage, since it would contravene UN Security Council resolution 1816 as well as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The UNSC resolution 1816, adopted on June 2, authorises only states cooperating with Somalias transitional government to enter its territorial waters—for a period of six months—to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery by all necessary means. India, at present, has no such agreement with Somalia.
The Gulf of Aden provides access to the Suez Canal through which a sizeable portion of Indias trade flows. Effective measures to counter piracy have become crucial since as much as 90% by volume and 77% by value of Indias foreign trade transits the seas, said an officer.
Wednesday November 12, 2008 - NEW DELHI: In dramatic action on the high seas, an Indian warship with its armed helicopter and elite marine commandos repulsed in quick succession attempts made by different bands of gun-toting pirates to hijack a Saudi and a Mumbai-based merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on Tuesday morning.
INS Tabar, a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate, was cruising in the Gulf of Aden at about 10 am when it got a frantic distress call from Saudi Arabian chemical and oil carrier NCC Tihama.
Tihamas call said two to three high-speed boats, with several armed men, were trying to hijack the ship which was headed westwards. An armed Chetak helicopter, with four marine commandos, was immediately launched from INS Tabar, said a senior Navy officer.
Even as the Chetak hovered over Tihama, the marine commandos opened fire with their automatic weapons at the pirates trying to board the Saudi tankship after surrounding it. Deterred by the fire, the pirates promptly turned tail and fled in their speedboats into Somali waters.
It was around this time10.30 am or sowhen the Chetak was still in the air, that INS Tabar received another SOS call. This time, the message was that Indian merchant vessel Jag Arnav — which is owned by the Mumbai-based Great Eastern Company and was eastward bound after transiting through the Suez Canal a few days earlier — was being ambushed by another band of pirates in two boats about 60 nautical miles east of Aden.
The Chetak was then diverted towards Jag Arnavs position, about 25 nautical miles away from INS Tabars location, with instructions to Tihama to follow the Indian frigate for safety.
There was no need to fire even warning shots this time. Seeing the helicopter approach Jag Arnav, which had a 25-member crew, the pirates promptly jettisoned their hijack plans and sped away, said the officer.
INS Tabar then escorted the 38,265-tonne Jag Arnav — which was carrying a consignment of barley from Odessa (Russia) to Jubail (Saudi Arabia) — to safety. Many of the crew members on board Jag Arnav are from Mumbai.
When the master noticed a couple of boats following the ship, he sent an SMS to INS Tabar, which immediately swung into the rescue act, said Anjali Kumar, corporate communications chief of Great Eastern.
Lauding the near-simultaneous operations carried out by his force, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said, Piracy is a crime which all men of war are required to combat at all times.
Indian naval ships operating in piracy-infested areas are always in a high state of alert and have the capability to intervene by air and ship-borne weapons. Their mandate is to ensure that the safety of our sovereign assets is maintained, he added.
Indian warships, as reported earlier by TOI, have been patrolling the Gulf of Aden since last month to protect Indian merchant vessels transiting through this vital trade route and strategic choke-point from pirates.
The decision to deploy warships in the region was taken by the government after Somali pirates hijacked Japanese-owned Stolt Valor on September 15. The fate of the 18 Indians on board Stolt Valor, however, still hangs in the balance, with the pirates demanding a ransom upwards of $2.5 million to free them.
Operating mainly from the Somali ports of Eyl and Hobyo, pirates have created havoc for international shipping, having attacked 83 ships since January andhijacking 33 of them.
Despite increased cooperation among different navies, with even taskforces from the US and the European Union operating in the region, the pirates have continued their attacks with impunity. In the latest incident, a Philippines chemical tanker was seized near Somalia on Monday.
India, too, is contributing its might to deter piracy by patrolling the normal route followed by Indian flagships during passage from Salalah (Oman) to Aden (Yemen) as well as by coordinating with other foreign navies.
The problem, however, is that while Indian warships can patrol the Gulf of Aden, they cannot enter the territorial waters of Somalia, where the 18 Indians are being held hostage, since it would contravene UN Security Council resolution 1816 as well as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The UNSC resolution 1816, adopted on June 2, authorises only states cooperating with Somalias transitional government to enter its territorial waters—for a period of six months—to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery by all necessary means. India, at present, has no such agreement with Somalia.
The Gulf of Aden provides access to the Suez Canal through which a sizeable portion of Indias trade flows. Effective measures to counter piracy have become crucial since as much as 90% by volume and 77% by value of Indias foreign trade transits the seas, said an officer.
The recent RN/Russian attack against Pirates in the Gulf of Aden forms part of a new EU NAVCO initiative commanded by a UK Vice Admiral involving 10 EU nations working closely with non-EU nations (Japan & Russia - Neustrashimy Frigate). NAVCO will work alongside NATO's SMG2 operating in the Gulf region. European assets in both entities will switch between commands depending on the situation / requirement.
They will all be operating under 'robust' rules of engagement according to EU officials who briefed Jane's publications.
They will all be operating under 'robust' rules of engagement according to EU officials who briefed Jane's publications.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/13/2418296.htm
British navy kills Somali pirates
Posted November 13, 2008 09:14:00
The British navy killed two Somali pirates after the attempted hijacking of a Danish cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, the defence ministry in London has said.
The men were killed when a Royal Navy crew returned fire as they intercepted a boat about 96 kilometres south of Yemen on Tuesday.
Britain's HMS Cumberland was in the region as part of a NATO mission to protect shipping after scores of pirate attacks on ships in the key route that links Europe to Asia and the Middle East.
It was joined by a Russian frigate Neustrashimy (Fearless) from Russia's Baltic Sea Fleet, Russian navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told state channel Vesti-24.
"Boats launched by Cumberland to intercept the dhow (traditional Arab boat) were involved in an exchange of fire," the British defence ministry spokesman said.
"Two foreign nationals, believed to be Somali pirates, were shot and killed in self defence."
British sailors found a third man, thought to be a Yemeni national, dead on the vessel. It was not clear whether he had been killed in the shooting or in an earlier incident, the spokesman added.
The Yemeni dhow was towing a smaller boat which the Cumberland's crew believed had attacked the Danish-registered cargo ship MV Powerful earlier on Tuesday.
Dygalo said a Russian Ka-27 helicopter and a British Lynx helicopter were involved.
"The pirates tried to shoot at the (Danish) vessel with automatic weapons and made several attempts to seize it," he added. "But thanks to the joint efforts of the Russian and British warships the pirates' actions were disrupted."
He said the Russian frigate was now escorting several foreign merchant ships in the area.
Pirates have been causing havoc in the Gulf of Aden, taking millions of dollars in ransoms, raising insurance costs and threatening humanitarian supplies.
British navy kills Somali pirates
Posted November 13, 2008 09:14:00
The British navy killed two Somali pirates after the attempted hijacking of a Danish cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, the defence ministry in London has said.
The men were killed when a Royal Navy crew returned fire as they intercepted a boat about 96 kilometres south of Yemen on Tuesday.
Britain's HMS Cumberland was in the region as part of a NATO mission to protect shipping after scores of pirate attacks on ships in the key route that links Europe to Asia and the Middle East.
It was joined by a Russian frigate Neustrashimy (Fearless) from Russia's Baltic Sea Fleet, Russian navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told state channel Vesti-24.
"Boats launched by Cumberland to intercept the dhow (traditional Arab boat) were involved in an exchange of fire," the British defence ministry spokesman said.
"Two foreign nationals, believed to be Somali pirates, were shot and killed in self defence."
British sailors found a third man, thought to be a Yemeni national, dead on the vessel. It was not clear whether he had been killed in the shooting or in an earlier incident, the spokesman added.
The Yemeni dhow was towing a smaller boat which the Cumberland's crew believed had attacked the Danish-registered cargo ship MV Powerful earlier on Tuesday.
Dygalo said a Russian Ka-27 helicopter and a British Lynx helicopter were involved.
"The pirates tried to shoot at the (Danish) vessel with automatic weapons and made several attempts to seize it," he added. "But thanks to the joint efforts of the Russian and British warships the pirates' actions were disrupted."
He said the Russian frigate was now escorting several foreign merchant ships in the area.
Pirates have been causing havoc in the Gulf of Aden, taking millions of dollars in ransoms, raising insurance costs and threatening humanitarian supplies.
John Sansom
New Member
I seem to recall that when the Neustrashimiy's mission in the area was first announced, Moscow stressed that she would "co-operate" with the vessels of other nations in suppressing acts of piracy. There didn't seem to be any word to the contrary from the EU (or anybody else), so I guess things just proceded from there.
On the mechanics of it all, I imagine heads were scratched, pencils sharpened and then used, all to the end that general and flexible accords were reached with respect to patrol zones, response mechanisms, etc., etc.
And, on the surface (no pun intended), there seems to have been minimal (if any) political in-put, a decidedly healthy sign. So let's encourage the respective governments involved to allow the fellows at the pointy end of the stick to maximize co-operative efforts and to get on with the job.
On the mechanics of it all, I imagine heads were scratched, pencils sharpened and then used, all to the end that general and flexible accords were reached with respect to patrol zones, response mechanisms, etc., etc.
And, on the surface (no pun intended), there seems to have been minimal (if any) political in-put, a decidedly healthy sign. So let's encourage the respective governments involved to allow the fellows at the pointy end of the stick to maximize co-operative efforts and to get on with the job.
Well it's not formally part of any taskforce, so technically speaking it could do whatever it wanted to, as long as it's not attacking other nations ships. I wonder what would happen in a situation where Russian and EU commanders disagree over the best course of action.
EDIT: The pirates attempted to capture another vessel, the "Captain Maslov" a Russian ship flying the flag of Cyprus. The ship successfully dodged the attack and managed to put out the fire started by the shotting.
http://www.arms-expo.ru/site.xp/050055050048124053049049048.html
EDIT: The pirates attempted to capture another vessel, the "Captain Maslov" a Russian ship flying the flag of Cyprus. The ship successfully dodged the attack and managed to put out the fire started by the shotting.
http://www.arms-expo.ru/site.xp/050055050048124053049049048.html
Neutral Zone
New Member
One idea I heard someone suggesting for dealing with the situation off Somalia was reviving the World War One Tactic of the Q-Ship;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_ship
Basically take a nondescript cargo ship fix, on launch points for heavy machine guns, anti-tank missiles etc. give it a crew of naval sailors and marines, sail off the coast of Somalia and when pirates approach to try and board fire off some warning shots. If they persist, call in friendly air and naval forces. It would at least be a scare tactic and could make the pirates more wary about approaching ships in future.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_ship
Basically take a nondescript cargo ship fix, on launch points for heavy machine guns, anti-tank missiles etc. give it a crew of naval sailors and marines, sail off the coast of Somalia and when pirates approach to try and board fire off some warning shots. If they persist, call in friendly air and naval forces. It would at least be a scare tactic and could make the pirates more wary about approaching ships in future.
Normal merchant ships can & do already call in friendly naval & air forces. The distinguishing feature of a Q-ship is its ability to fight & win, despite looking harmless. But in this context, there is a problem with Q-ships, which did not affect the originals: the pirates can, & do, identify potential target ships & monitor ship movements. They have internet access, & networks of spotters. A single ship cruising backwards & forwards would quickly attract their attention. It would have, at best, one successful action, & possibly none. The pirates wouldn't learn to avoid ships in general, but would learn to avoid the Q-ship.
One way round this that has been proposed is the "Q-container", i.e. one or more containers, carried as deck cargo, fitted with concealed weapons. The containers could be lifted off after transit of the danger zone, & put on another ship. Numerous containers could be equipped & manned for the cost of one Q-ship.
An Indian frigate, the INS Tabar sank a Somalian pirate ship, near the Somalian coast.
http://www.arms-expo.ru/site.xp/049051124053050049048.html
http://www.arms-expo.ru/site.xp/049051124053050049048.html
Aliph Ahmed
Banned Member
It was actually a Thai trawler being taken over by the Somali pirates.
Admin: text deleted. that was totally unnecessary - this is your last warning on inserting comments that are designed to act as barbs. You have been asked a number of times to throttle back.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7749245.stm
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A starting point
I assume for most of the naval assets in the region hostage situations maybe a little out their abilities to deal with effectively. I would like to see a focus placed on the pirates before and during failed hostage/ship attempts. I read a few times pirate were driven off this is where a new focus may be best applied. It’s time to start playing for real and these failed attempts are perfect safe targets. All assets nearby need to be brought down on these confirmed pirate boats. Let’s face it there not fishing when a boat is following a big ship in the middle of nowhere. I admit it would be easier if they flew the skull and cross bone flags.
ARRG
I assume for most of the naval assets in the region hostage situations maybe a little out their abilities to deal with effectively. I would like to see a focus placed on the pirates before and during failed hostage/ship attempts. I read a few times pirate were driven off this is where a new focus may be best applied. It’s time to start playing for real and these failed attempts are perfect safe targets. All assets nearby need to be brought down on these confirmed pirate boats. Let’s face it there not fishing when a boat is following a big ship in the middle of nowhere. I admit it would be easier if they flew the skull and cross bone flags.
ARRG
StevoJH
The Bunker Group
Fairly sure the RN ships carry Marine Commando boarding parties, I believe the french ships carry Commando's as well. If Absalon is still down that wat, it would be a waste of her abilities if she wasn't carrying some sort of boarding force.
I read these pirate threads and still can't understand why more pirate boats aren't destroyed. These little pirate boats should be hit just as they dock so others on land can see that being a pirate isn't the way to go. Also go after the banks that deal with these pirates as well punish them somehow why should they be spared dealing with such sum.
Never being in the navy or out to sea for that matter I guess it's hard for me to grasp how big and open the oceans are. Maybe finding a small boat isn't as easy as I think it is.
Sorry for the basic question but couldn't all these Destroyers, Frigates, Missile Boats, etc backed by Marine Commando boarding parties just onslaught the captured parked ships? I assume these pirates wouldn't stand up to ten or modern war ships with advance helicopters flying around? Maybe have those Mirage fighters nearby hit a few coastal villages where these special pirate boats refuel or known to dock for the night. Track who the pirates are talking to on land and drop a little happy surprise on them? It just seems like were dealing with this with our hands tied behind our backs.
Never being in the navy or out to sea for that matter I guess it's hard for me to grasp how big and open the oceans are. Maybe finding a small boat isn't as easy as I think it is.
Sorry for the basic question but couldn't all these Destroyers, Frigates, Missile Boats, etc backed by Marine Commando boarding parties just onslaught the captured parked ships? I assume these pirates wouldn't stand up to ten or modern war ships with advance helicopters flying around? Maybe have those Mirage fighters nearby hit a few coastal villages where these special pirate boats refuel or known to dock for the night. Track who the pirates are talking to on land and drop a little happy surprise on them? It just seems like were dealing with this with our hands tied behind our backs.
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