It now appears that the Libyan regime has resorted to using other asymmetric methods of trying to fight both the rebels and NATO - as reported by
Eaglespeak...
A tonne of explosives in a boat borne IED suggests an attempt to sink a ship.
About 18 months ago, I prepared a short presentation on asymmetric maritime threats, from terrorists, pirates, and the link, and possible methods of attack. This was very much from a maritime force protection viewpoint, and in addition to discussing terrorist attacks (successful or otherwise) against maritime targets, I tried to make the following points:
1. Terrorists will use any weapon they can. This has included light aircraft (Tamil Tigers), stealthy suicide craft (Tamil Tigers), improvised mines, suicide torpedoes and mini submarines (various groups), and the use of all sorts of vehicles or vessels as weapon platforms or for suicide attacks.
2. Countering these threats demands technology and people. The attack methods may be fairly low tech, but out countermeasures cannot.
3. Asymmetric activities may be done by the armed forces (eg Iranian small boats attacking tankers with machine guns and rockets during the tanker war) or intelligence services or hostile nations, or on their behalf (eg the
Argentine plot to attack UK vessels in Gibraltar during the Falklands War).
Thus far, the Libyan regime has used converted light aircraft to mount an air raid, used small boats for minelaying, and now attempted to use a large boat IED.
We should pay attention.
Meanwhile, operations in Iraq are over: From the MOD:
Operations in Iraq finish with completion of Royal Navy training mission