How to deal with Somali Pirates
 

It would seem that our Russian friends have the right idea - blew ship up with all tie-wrapped on board - after verifying weapons find etc of course
Colleague showed me video link this morning and trying to validate - must be on utube by now but my pc at work will not allow access (wonder why?).

Captain enforcing piracy law I see

Do they carry out "Contract Work"?

As madness prevails here and there will apparently be spare Harriers, how about a few container ships fitted out 'Atlantic Conveyor' style with a GR9 wittily loaded with rockets to welcome incoming skiffs ?

EESDL

Have also seen the video - though some time ago.
I'll try to find it.

A very effective way of sending a message and making
sure they don't come back to do it again.


Edit
It's on you tube and is called "Russian Navy vs Somali Pirates"
(Split link below)
YouTube - Russian Navy vs Somali Pirates

Perhaps we're not that far away:

From the Telegraph online today

I viewed the video, but saw no continuity to prove the pirates were on board when the vessel was destroyed.

Nice work though, if we dealt with them the same way it would send a message.... to say the least.

Give them a fair trial and then hang them from the yard arm...what no yard arms left. Oh defence cuts.

Can't imagine why, but it's reduced recidivism quite dramatically . . .

Before anyone says, 'what the hell has this got to do with the Air Force?'. May I point out that Op Atalanta has several members of light blue cloth at the OHQ. We may not have Nimrod but at least we can man the HQ.
Cyrano is happily replacing the MPA's anyway :eek:

Go on bite ...

Dead simple solution. Get all the countries that object to their ships being hijacked to chip in some funds, and we could resume the Aden Protectorate, reopen bases at Khormaksar, Sallalah, Masirah and Sharjah, giving our guys somewhere nice to go for R & R from UK winters. :p

I don't think the Twin Pins from my era would suffice, or Bubblies for that matter, so what airies should we base at K'sar to sort out the pirates? Must admit the thought of a squadron of Hunters sounds enticing. Which PPruners would be happy to volunteer? I'd go if the pay was sufficient. :ok:

I fancy a couple of squadrons of cannon equipped RAF Mustangs based at Khormaksar,:E

(Quite a few Mustangs still flying world wide!).

Must have some SBS type operators as well :O - to capture the ships
before setting them adrift for RAF Gunnery practice.

Oh how I laughed when I read the above.

You effing jest of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not at all. :D :ok:

Lets see if we can't put a detachment together from PPruners. We need everything from a Wng Co down to AC Plonks. Aircrew for the aircraft we choose and ground crew to keep them operational, plus ancillaries. I was a Cpl Tech Air Radio Fitter way back then. Happy to look after the avionics - still got a tool box and soldering iron.

Perhaps I am being the Fun Detector here - but are we sugesting extra-judicial killing of pirates? This country, and indeed most in the Western World work on the proncipal of rule of law and independence of the judiciary. Let's not confuse a lack of action (cf UNCLOS III, 1982) with the need for a violent resolution.

These pirates are causing a considerable nuisance, I agree. However barbaric acts of violence - as hinted in the Russian recording - kis not, repeat, not the solution.

Whenurhappy
The Russians may have taken it a bit far, but I am sure the message was very well received by the others.

You are allowed to defend yourselves and I am sure the Pirates would accommodate an attack looking at what they do, it can't be helped if the firepower being returned is 10 times was they expected.

Given the decision mentioned in this link:

Kenyan court outlaws piracy trials

It would appear that there is currently no legal system in place that will (practically not theoretically) allow for Somali pirates captured on the high seas to be prosecuted....

Does that mean they simply have to be turned loose, after no doubt being told that they are "very naughty boys" (and girls, to stay PC), if they are actually caught in the first place?

I thought you were allowed to take the Pirates back to your country for trial,
as some have including the US.

Looks like you could be right, the Germans too:

Germany set for first pirate trial in 400 years | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Landmark Somali 'pirate' trial in US to last three weeks | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Take the Pirates back to your country for trial
 

I don't think that this is a good idea, well not in the UK, or Canada for that matter. If you bring them back they would get legal aid to fight the charge. Some are likely to evade justice through fancy lawyers and then end up claiming asylum, with no way of being deported to a war-torn country where their lives would be in danger (bless them)! The next thing you know, the whole extended family will be living on an estate in Bristol (UK)...............hang on, that has already happened!

Can’t we put an exclusion zone off the coast of Somalia and sink anything that is approaching it? It worked in 82. :)

Canadian