Piracy Blog mentions for September 3, 2010 showing 21 entries
By Coracle Voice link finder • Sep 3rd, 2010 • Category: Piracy
Piracy Blog mentions for September 3, 2010 showing 21 entries
-
Indonesia Must Increase Anti-piracy Patrol
www.chrocodile.co.cc —
“The latest spate of attacks began Aug. 16, with pirates attacking mostly at night.”. . … Indonesia: An international maritime group urged Indonesia on Thursday to increase patrols in the South
“The latest spate of attacks began Aug. 16, with pirates attacking mostly at night.”Indonesia: An international maritime group urged Indonesia on Thursday to increase patrols in the South China Sea after pirates attacked nine vessels in less than three weeks. The International Maritime Bureau said pirates armed with guns and machetes had robbed tankers and bulk carriers of cash and other valuables in the attacks off the Indonesian islands of Mangkai, Anambas and Natuna.
This brought the number of pirate attacks so far this year to 26 in the area, which is a transit route used by vessels heading southeast to the Singapore Straits or northwest to East Asia and the Pacific Ocean. Only seven attacks were reported all of last year.
The latest spate of attacks began Aug. 16, with pirates attacking mostly at night and sometimes raiding two to three vessels on the same day, said Noel Choong, who heads the IMB’s piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur.
The last attack occurred Wednesday when six pirates boarded and robbed a Panama tanker before escaping. “Three crewmen were injured in the latest series of attacks. It seems one or more pirate groups are operating in the area.
The IMB is concerned about the heightened piracy and has sent a letter to the Indonesian authorities requesting them to increase patrols in the area,” Choong said. The IMB also urged ships to maintain a strict anti-piracy watch because pirates normally abort their attacks if they are spotted, he added. Source: VIVAnews
Published: September 03, 2010
-
UN Secretary General Sets Out Options for dealing with Piracy off Somalia
www.ejiltalk.org —
. The United Nations Secretary General has recently submitted a report to the Security Council in which he sets out 7 options for dealing with piracy off the coast of Somalia.
The United Nations Secretary General has recently submitted a report to the Security Council in which he sets out 7 options for dealing with piracy off the coast of Somalia. The incidence of piracy off the coast of Somalia continues to be very high.
“7. … The number of attacks off the coast of Somalia has steadily increased since 1991, and over the past two years has increased from 111 vessels attacked in 2008 to 217 vessels attacked in 2009. . . There were 30 attacks during the first quarter of 2010. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the pirates operate from around 70 camps on beaches on the Somali coast, which is approximately 1,800 miles long. Their methods have become increasingly sophisticated, indicating greater planning, financing and organization. . . .
8. While the number of attacks remains high, increased naval patrols off the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden have effectively reduced the success rate of these attacks. In 2007, 63 per cent of attacks were successful; in 2008, 34 per cent were successful; in 2009, 21 per cent were successful; and the figure for 2010 is likely to be below 20 per cent.2 The decrease in success is attributable to the additional defensive measures put in place by merchant ships, their more cautious navigational routes, and effective naval operations. Nevertheless, as at 15 May 2010, some 450 mariners were being held hostage on vessels captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The involvement of naval vessels from more than 30 States represents one of the largest peacetime naval operations ever.”
In April of this year, the Security Council in resolution 1918 requested the Secretary-General to present a report exploring the options for prosecuting the persons responsible for piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia. In his report , the Secretary General has set out 7 options:
Option 1: The enhancement of United Nations assistance to build capacity of regional States to prosecute and imprison persons responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia
Option 2: The establishment of a Somali court sitting in the territory of a third State in the region, either with or without United Nations participation
Option 3: The establishment of a special chamber within the national jurisdiction of a State or States in the region, without United Nations participation
Option 4: The establishment of a special chamber within the national jurisdiction of a State or States in the region, with United Nations participation
Option 5: The establishment of a regional tribunal on the basis of a multilateral agreement among regional States, with United Nations participation
Option 6: The establishment of an international tribunal on the basis of an agreement between a State in the region and the United Nations
Option 7: The establishment of an international tribunal by Security Council resolution under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations
The Secretary General has dismissed as a viable option the extension of the jurisdiction of existing international courts to include prosecution of piracy. So proposals to allow the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Criminal Court or the African Court of Human Rights to prosecute the crime of piracy have not been accepted by the Secretary General. However, it may well be that the option of allowing the African Court of Human Rights to prosecute pirates returns to the fore when the African Union discusses the extension of the jurisdiction of that Court to include prosecution of international crimes. That discussion, which is gathering steam, is primarily about attempts to create a regional African Court to prosecute ICC crimes but I would not be surprised to see piracy included in the jurisdiction of that Court, if the attempt succeeds.
The Secretary General’s Option 1 is already being pursued with the opening of a special anti-piracy court in Kenya. If there is sufficient assistance to States and domestic courts to undertake these prosecutions it is not quite clear to me why an international (or even a regional) tribunal is needed, especially given the cost of establishing such tribunals. In the Security Council debate about the report, it appears that the UK and France were also not keen on establishing a new international tribunal.
Published: September 03, 2010
-
The Russkies know how to handle piracy
bimmer.roadfly.com —
This videotape shows Russian Navy commandos on a Somali pirate ship shortly after the pirates had captured a Russian oil tanker. … The commandos freed their compatriots, moved all the pirates to
Pirate ship and pirates go boom at 4:53
This videotape shows Russian Navy commandos on a Somali pirate ship shortly after the pirates had captured a Russian oil tanker. The Euro-Union navy that patrols these waters would not interfere because they feared there could be casualties. All explanations are in Russian with a single exception of when a wounded pirate says something in English. All conversations between the commandos are in Russian. If you don’t understand Russian, the pictures speak for themselves. The commandos freed their compatriots, moved all the pirates to their own (pirate) ship, searched the pirate ship for weapons and explosives, and then they left the ship and blew it up with all remaining pirates on it. The commandos sunk the pirate ship along with the pirates and without any court proceedings, lawyers etc. That is, they used the anti-piracy laws of the 18th and 19th centuries where the captain of the rescuing ship has the right to decide what to do with the pirates. Usually, they were hung. I would think from now on, Russian ships will not be targets for Somali pirates.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕPublished: September 02, 2010
-
Indonesia urged to increase anti-piracy patrols
www.closeprotectionworld.co.uk —
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – An international maritime group urged Indonesia on Thursday to increase patrols in the South China Sea after pirates attacked nine vessels in less than three weeks.. .
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia An international maritime group urged Indonesia on Thursday to increase patrols in the South China Sea after pirates attacked nine vessels in less than three weeks.
The International Maritime Bureau said pirates armed with guns and machetes had robbed tankers and bulk carriers of cash and other valuables in the attacks off the Indonesian islands of Mangkai, Anambas and Natuna.
This brought the number of pirate attacks so far this year to 26 in the area, which is a transit route used by vessels heading southeast to the Singapore Straits or northwest to East Asia and the Pacific Ocean. Only seven attacks were reported all of last year.
The latest spate of attacks began Aug. 16, with pirates attacking mostly at night and sometimes raiding two to three vessels on the same day, said Noel Choong, who heads the IMB’s piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur. The last attack occurred Wednesday when six pirates boarded and robbed a Panama tanker before escaping.
“Three crewmen were injured in the latest series of attacks. It seems one or more pirate groups are operating in the area. The IMB is concerned about the heightened piracy and has sent a letter to the Indonesian authorities requesting them to increase patrols in the area,” Choong said.
The IMB also urged ships to maintain a strict anti-piracy watch because pirates normally abort their attacks if they are spotted, he added.
Published: September 02, 2010
-
Denmark navy helicopter foils pirates – Las Vegas Sun
news.google.com —
. . . . … Denmark navy helicopter foils pirates. … AP Denmark’s navy says a helicopter from one its warships has foiled a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia. … The Esbern Snare warship, which has been …. .
Denmark navy helicopter foils pirates
Las Vegas Sun
AP Denmark’s navy says a helicopter from one its warships has foiled a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia. The Esbern Snare warship, which has been …Published: September 03, 2010
-
Remarks by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead at the Navy League of Denver
military-online.blogspot.com —
We in the Navy need the help of organizations like the Navy League, and the type of activities like the gentlemen Kathleen pointed out, where he works with underprivileged kids to show them the benefits of what the Navy has to offer.
August 24, 2010
Well, thanks Dan for the introduction and thank you for all you do in leading the Navy League and for all the members here. Even though those of us who wear the uniform cannot be members, I cannot thank the Navy League enough for what you do for our Sailors who serve and are deployed. I speak from experience, that from the time I was a young Ensign until now, the hospitality of the Navy League chapters around the world make serving in the Navy something special, because everywhere we go we are welcomed warmly, we are taken great care of and that is something that is absolutely priceless.
But as I’ve become more senior, I’ve become more aware, more intimately with the Navy League leadership on dealing with matters that are of great import to our country, and to the strategic assets that we have to include shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing, and it’s through the efforts of the Navy League that the story can be told in ways that I think are very compelling. So Dan for you and all of the members, I thank you for what you do here and for assembling this evening’s event, I thank you for that as well. And I really would like to thank all the chapters that are here for everything that you do for us because you really do have opportunities to raise awareness of what our Navy does for the nation.
The last time I was here was in 2008 when we were talking about our Maritime Strategy and the conversation that I had with many people from this region really has helped us shape the strategy, make the strategy come alive and has given us insight into what Americans think they need in the form of their Navy.
I have to admit that the last time I was here talking about the strategy, there was someone who thought I was taken the climate change issue too seriously, because they thought I was here looking for a new homeport for the Navy but they got away from that.
But it is so important, I think, to be able to have an organization that can carry the message forward of what our sea-going services do in a positive way and for helping us achieve the goals that we believe are so important to maintaining the security and prosperity for future generations of Americans.
For many citizens in our country today, the benefits of a strong Navy aren’t readily apparent. Our seaward approaches and the global commons that are represented by the high seas don’t have an obvious impact on their daily lives. And that’s where organizations like yours and individuals like you, with your efforts that range from advocacy that’s articulated in the document Dan talked about, to the support that you give to the Sea Cadet program, which is more than just a Navy program. It’s a terrific way for young men and women in our country to learn about citizenship, about service and about responsibility. So for all the young men and women here who are part of the Sea Cadet Corps and for the mentors that they have, I would like for us to join in a round of applause for them.
So through all those efforts, I think you keep the dialogue going, a dialogue that is so important. And the conversation that we started here and in other cities around the country a couple of years ago is still ongoing. It goes on here at home, it goes on abroad and it’s where we continue to advance the cause of what we call the global maritime partnerships where together working with the other sea services, working with countries around the world, we work together towards peace and prosperity that’s so important to all of us.
I was talking at a dinner just last week. I was in Sweden and Norway where I was able to spend some time with those navies, smaller than ours to be sure, but they’re pursuing advanced capabilities in ways that are extraordinarily impressive in areas such as littoral combat which I think in the future is going to become more and more important. They’re developing diesel submarines which quite frankly I think have become the international standard in that area and I think having the opportunity to work with them is extraordinarily important for us in our Navy.
Before that I had the opportunity to visit my counterpart in France. It sounds like I’ve been on a pretty good summer trip here but it really has been a good opportunity, particularly in France, to talk to a Navy that is able and sees a responsibility to be part of a global solution to some of the challenges that we face. In the case of the French navy, they are one of the few navies that operates aircraft from aircraft carriers in ways that we do and they are committed as they have just completed their 100th anniversary, two years ahead of us in fact, toward being able to continue to partner with us in bringing that safety and security and stability around the world.
We continue to build these global maritime partnerships as our Maritime Strategy said that we would in no small part because our partners see in the U.S. Navy a commitment to those capabilities that we talked about in our strategy. A commitment for our Navy to be a forward force, to be globally deployed, to be in all the oceans of the world. The ability for that force to be a deterrent, that goes beyond our ballistic missile submarine. That gets to the fact that we can move naval power, and put that naval power in places that cause those who would do something that we wouldn’t like, it causes them to check up and think twice. But it also includes the capabilities of power projection. That power projection can come off our aircraft carrier, it can be in the form of missiles that come off of our destroyers or submarines and indeed, in Marines coming off our amphibious ships. But it’s also being able to control the sea wherever we may need to do it. And it’s about maritime security operations that we conduct, not unlike what we’re doing off the coast of Somalia in checking up the pirates that are there. And then of course, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, something that I think has captured the respect of so many countries around the world.
And when you think about all those things going on there is no question that our Sailors today are very busy. They’re busy in Iraq and Afghanistan, where we have more sailors on the ground – 14,500 Sailors serving on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Djibouti – than we have serving at sea. We have another 10,000 Sailors who are on our ships off shore and at sea we serve in a more traditional role projecting power from our aircraft carriers which continue to provide over 30% of fixed wing flying in support of U.S. and coalition troops on the ground, in Afghanistan. In July alone, that aircraft carrier that’s on station in the North Arabian Sea and the strike group provided almost 1,700 sorties in one month and almost 700 hours of combat operations in support of those troops on the ground.
But our nation’s interests extend far beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, almost 40,000 Sailors are deployed and about 39% of our ships and submarines are on deployment. That is an extraordinarily high percentage. And we’re delivering on our maritime strategy around the globe. Just this past month, in the vicinity of Hawaii, 14 nations, 32 ships, 5 submarines and more than 170 aircraft took part in the Rim of the Pacific exercise. And in the Mediterranean, our 6th Fleet commander on board USS Mount Whitney participated in exercises alongside the naval forces of France, Russia, and Great Britain. The USS George Washington, a carrier airwing, six destroyers, a fast attack submarine and maritime patrol aircraft conducted Exercise Invincible Spirit with the Republic of Korea navy. That exercise was an important one that showed our solidarity with the Republic of Korea after they had one of their ships unexpectedly torpedoed by North Korea. And in maritime security, we conducted maritime civil affairs & security training in six countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America. And in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the USS Iwo Jima supplemented by naval mobile construction forces concluded our humanitarian assistance mission in Haiti, while at the same time, USS Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are bringing flood relief to the people of Pakistan from the sea.
And I mentioned the power projection and forward presence being provided by the Harry S. Truman tonight, as we sit here having dinner together.
We continue to prove ourselves to be an adaptable, flexible, and fast responders, and globally we’re seeing the demand for our forces continue to rise and be in greater demand than ever before. In watching developments, I remain convinced of our maritime strategy’s continued relevance, and I am re-committed to the imperatives of that strategy: to prevent or to win in conflict, with the resources that it requires. Successive budgets from the fiscal year 2010 through the Navy’s program submission that we’ve just concluded for 2012 have been consistent with that commitment to the Maritime Strategy. As was the Department of Defense’s Quadrennial Defense Review or ‘QDR’, as was the recent Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel report that was commissioned by Congress and released late last month.
That report reaffirmed the conclusions that we reached in our Maritime Strategy in 2007, expressing concern over a developing mismatch between force structure and our valid operational requirements. As you might be aware, that report that was just issued calls for a bigger fleet, and the floor of 313 ships that I’ve articulated since becoming the CNO has been encompassed in the number in that report.
And we’re also balancing our investments in ships and aircraft with systems to defeat the most challenging threats that we will face. We’re building information dominance, we’re building increased capacity in electronic warfare and ballistic missile defense, and intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance.
I welcome the report that was just issued and the larger public discussion over the size and composition of the Navy because it’s important, I believe, that all Americans realize that we as a Navy are in a different position than we were when we’ve been fiscally challenged in the past.
The size of the fleet is much smaller. We are the smallest fleet that we have been since 1916, and our responsibilities and our interests are much greater than they were in 1916. The industrial base of the nation, something that I consider to be a strategic asset for a country is very different than it was in the last downturn. The last time we saw the budgets decline, there were six major shipbuilding corporations in the United States. Today, there are two. Our nuclear fleet – in the past would depend on eight major corporations, today there are two. The overhead costs that we experience are a result of a decrease in fleet size and not the commensurate decrease with all the infrastructure that we in the Navy posses. And the cost of operating the Navy, globally, is becoming more expensive.
But I think the security environment that we face as our forces are withdrawn in the coming years in the Middle East will actually be different as well. Sovereignty concerns by nations will increase and may outright preclude the involvement of extensive land-based forces in the future. Global economic trends are changing allies, partners and “others.” Also while our Navy is very different, we face an emerging global order which requires more naval power if we hope to shape that order favorably.
In sum, the demand for naval capabilities is only increasing. It increases because the ability to overcome diplomatic, geographic, and military impediments to access areas of national interest has re-emerged as a necessity for U.S. influence and power overseas, and that demand will not soon fade – indeed, I think, as night follows day, it will only grow. This is certainly no time in this country, for what I call “sea blindness.” We must all recognize the importance of the seas to this nation and the importance of the Navy to this nation.
With the juxtaposition of the limited defense budgets against a growing demand for naval power in mind, we in the Navy have had to recast our approach to procurement, and focus efforts on developing affordable capabilities in capacity. We started down a new path programmatically in the last couple of years and we’ve cancelled some programs and we’ve truncated some programs, such as the DDG 1000. And shortly after becoming the CNO, there were some ships that we received bids for that were simply far too expensive, and we cancelled those. And I will tell you, I am going to continue to do that as long as I am in this position.
But we changed our processes to improve the decisions that we make. We merged the directors of intelligence and command control so that we could oversee our operations globally in ways that we never have been able to before. We created a fleet cyber command that is now moving into a leadership position in the world of cyber. We’re re-imagining naval power for dominance in the information age with cyber power for non-kinetic solutions on what I call the ‘left side of the kill chain.’ Sometimes not as glamorous as the things that are blowing up, but it’s where you can really influence some events. And we’ve created from all of the professionals we have in our Navy that deal with information, we’ve created an Information Dominance Corps. When you bring all of those together it’s 44,000 extraordinary professionals. And they come from the communities of intelligence, cryptology, information professional, meteorology and oceanography, and information warfare communities. Many of whom are here with us tonight.
Our program that we have put forward for the coming year solidifies our departure from what we call a platform-centric approach – an approach where we only look at the ship, submarine and the airplane – to one that centers on war fighting wholeness, where we look at anti-submarine warfare, ballistic missile defense, littoral combat, and unmanned capabilities as priorities. It seeks to reduce overhead for us to capture some of those funds for operations and maintenance, as well as new construction, for when it comes to capacity, quantity matters. Quantity becomes a capacity. And we’re resolved to maintain the fleet we have to the end of its expected service life and build affordable ships and aircraft by focusing our program management on total ownership costs and common equipment.
Our goal as we budget for the future is to turn a path to a force that can be sustained and positions us well for the Secretary of Defense’s effort to find efficiencies that we began this summer. That process continues and it will for the foreseeable future, but I believe it should continue in this environment in which we live. But I am also confident the navy will fare well because it’s an effort that we have already been on the path to achieving.
But over time, one has to consider the stress we’re placing on the force, and the impact that stress places on our most important factor in the Navy, and that is our people.
In the operations we conduct globally today, and in the fleet we are building for tomorrow, people will become even more important. Today’s sailors are the highest quality service men and women with whom I have ever served, and they – not the ships and the aircraft and the submarines – are where the real power of our Navy resides. And we will only ask more of them in the emerging security environment of the future. That’s why I remain focused on providing wide-ranging support to our Sailors & to their families. Our emphasis on family readiness programs – dependent healthcare, child and youth education services, public-private venture housing – are crucial in determining whether a Sailor can focus on the mission at hand, and whether he or she will choose to continue their service or take their extensive training elsewhere. Our commitment to a continuum of care – with programs like Navy Safe Harbor program that’s focused on our wounded warriors that are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, and operational stress control where we work with those Sailors who are repeated deployments – these are all part of the covenant we keep with our fighting men and women who put themselves in harm’s way. And our commitment to a continuum of service for those considering a transition from active duty with the career transition office and the career management system where we have interactive detailing makes for better informed decisions by those men and women that are making that career choice, and it reflects our commitment to a total force. Not a force of just active and reserve, but a Navy that is one.
Our comprehensive approach to support is not lost on our Sailors, and we’ve seen some very positive retention and recruitment rates. The economy to be sure is part of that, but it is not all of it. We continue to build on what we set as a goal, of being a top 50 employer in the United States. We started building on our foundation of integrity and professionalism and service to attract the best and brightest towards naval service and rewarding careers in the Navy. In the past two years, we’ve garnered 26 awards for our competitive benefits and life/work balance options. In some cases we became the first federal entity to be recognized for ethics, for vision, for innovation and for our global outlook. And we continue to attract and to retain motivated and impressive young Americans who answer the call of service above self.
But I continue to watch the health of our force, and believe that we cannot let up on our current efforts if we want to man the sustainable fleet we need. When you consider that only 28% of American youth qualify for military service today, our options going forward are not as plentiful as many might think. The Navy is and will remain a highly technical service, but during my visits to leading technical universities across the country, I’ve been struck by how few Americans aspire to study in areas of science, technology, math and engineering. The Navy does not yet reflect what I call the face of the nation, which it must do if we are to remain relevant to the security of all Americans. As American demographics change, the pool of potential leaders changes with it, and we want to include as many qualified applicants as we possibly can. We in the Navy need the help of organizations like the Navy League, and the type of activities like the gentlemen Kathleen pointed out, where he works with underprivileged kids to show them the benefits of what the Navy has to offer. Because we have to continue to reach out to those communities who do not yet know us, and we have to let young people know about the opportunities for leadership, for service and education that they could find in the Navy today. Because there is great potential benefit for both the Navy and the nation in bringing discussions like this – about the value of our Navy in the emerging global order, and of the boundless opportunities inherent in naval service to the next generation of Americans, those who will be best equipped to lead a global Navy in the information age.
I’m proud of what our Navy does on every ocean, on every day. Ours is really a global force for good. Its unique advantages, its flexibility, coming from the sea, and rapid response, are relevant today and they will only become more so as the characteristics of the future security environment fully emerge.
It makes sense to invest in our navy, and I’m confident that wise investment and knowledgeable sailors will continue to serve the nation well, now and into the future. Finally, to all of you here tonight, I appreciate your unwavering support for everyone who wears this uniform, and for all you do to ensure the continued maritime strength of our great country.
Thank you very much.
Published: September 02, 2010
-
Re: Should captured Somali pirates be hanged?
www.imdb.com —
The Royal Navy had it right: . … The punishment for piracy was death by public hanging. … The bodies of executed pirates were often tarred to preserve them to be hung from a gibbet.
The Royal Navy had it right:
The punishment for piracy was death by public hanging. The bodies of executed pirates were often tarred to preserve them to be hung from a gibbet. The corpse would be chained into an iron cage to prevent relatives from burying the body. The notable pirate, William Kidd, received this fate and his body hung for three years at Tilbury Point in the Thames estuary as a warning to seamen and pirates. A condemned man was measured for his iron cage before his execution, and many pirates feared this more than the hanging. After Blackbeard was killed in battle, his head was cut off and tied as a trophy to the yardarm of HMS Pearl.
Jolly good.
Now this is what I’m talking about!
Obama = Anti-Life Equation
Published: September 03, 2010
-
In the heart of a Somali pirates’ lair
www.reliefweb.int —
Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP) Date: 01 Sep 2010 By Jean-Marc Mojon (AFP) HOBYO, Somalia – Piracy off the coast of Somalia is booming despite a massive deployment of international warships,
Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP) Date: 01 Sep 2010 By Jean-Marc Mojon (AFP) HOBYO, Somalia – Piracy off the coast of Somalia is booming despite a massive deployment of international warships, with an estimated combined coast of 40 million dollars a day. NATO, the European Union, United States and other naval powers have sent warships to curb the hijacking of ships yet the number currently under the control of Somali pirates stands at 22, one of its highest ever levels.Published: September 02, 2010
-
In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates
www.gololey.com —
HOBYO, Somalia — Ismail Haji Noor, a local government official, recently arrived in this notorious pirate den with a simple message: we need your help.
HOBYO, Somalia — Ismail Haji Noor, a local government official, recently arrived in this notorious pirate den with a simple message: we need your help. With the Shabab militant group sweeping across Somalia and the American-backed central government teetering on life support, Mr. Noor stood…
Related posts:
- A day after taking control of the pirate stronghold of…
- Dutch navy disarms Somali pirates The Dutch naval frigate HNLMS Tromp disarmed 12 pirates off…
- Somali Pirates Flee Al-Qaida Affiliates, Hostages in Tow With the fate of a frail country and the lives…
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Published: September 02, 2010
-
In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates
www.openyoureyesnews.com —
. New York Times – Ismail Haji Noor, a local government official, recently arrived in this notorious pirate den with a simple message: we need your help.
New York Times – Ismail Haji Noor, a local government official, recently arrived in this notorious pirate den with a simple message: we need your help. With the Shabab militant group sweeping across Somalia and the American-backed central government teetering on life support, Mr. Noor stood on a beach flanked by dozens of pirate gunmen, two hijacked ships over his shoulder, and announced, “From now on we’ll be working together.” He hugged several well-known pirate bosses and called them “brother” and later explained that while he saw the pirates as criminals and eventually wanted to rehabilitate them, right now the Shabab were a much graver threat. Read Article
Published: September 02, 2010
-
Denmark navy helicopter foils pirates
feeds.bignewsnetwork.com —
A spokesman for the navy said the helicopter reached the pirates before they were able to board the vessel on Saturday. … The helicopter fired warning shots to stop the pirates as they were attempting t…
A spokesman for the navy said the helicopter reached the pirates before they were able to board the vessel on Saturday. The helicopter fired warning shots to stop the pirates as they were attempting t…Published: September 02, 2010
-
Re: Admiral Noman happy with F22P performance wants more ships from China
www.defence.pk —
Pakistan also has rich experiences in countering illegal activities at sea in order to maintain maritime security, four ships participated in anti-piracy operations, and there has been no act
Military Strategy
Quote:
Pakistan to acquire 4000 ton class FrigatesJuly 22, 2010 in Pakistan
The Pakistan Navy will be acquiring Type 054 (NATO Codename JIANGKAI I) 4000 ton type of frigates from China.As Indias domestic carrier with submarines and plans to expedite the Indian Navy, Pakistan Navys technological advantage is rapidly widening. In such a situation, Pakistans new love Chinese frigate is also reasonable Moreover, Europe and the United States and Russia are flirting with India, Pakistan does not want to offend the export of advanced warships and New Delhi. In contrast, relations between China and Pakistan is not only strong, and the Chinese Type 054 frigate design and construction of the same world-class level, the prices are much cheaper and more suited to limited financial resources of the Pakistani Army. Recently, the Pakistan domestic media coverage of the sharp rise in 054-type, apart from introducing a large number of its performance, the greater is the expectation of an early ship.
The Gulf of Aden to escort is the best advertising
Western military experts have also generated interest in 054-class escort. The United States sea power magazine editor 乔治麦凯伦 believe that Chinas naval fleet strength of the Gulf of Aden to escort the composition of the transition from the first two destroyers, a destroyer to the second installment plus a 054-class escort, to the third All replaced by two 054-type frigate, this arrangement is definitely not random, shows that the Chinese Navy began a comprehensive review of 054 ocean-type frigates combat capabilities. McLaren said: China dare to let go and let the smaller tonnage commitment to convoy escort task, showing that China is full of confidence in its performance. In fact, more than 054 types of tonnage to the 051 early Chinese destroyer, with 15 in service 052 years ago, destroyer equal, long-distance capability is not weak.
Hong Kongs Asia-Pacific Defense magazine has written that China sent 054 class destroyer escort, as the main, one of the aims is to potential foreign customers, advertising. Previously, it is difficult to see the ocean on a cruise ship in China for the performance of Chinese manufacturers of warships propaganda in doubt, but now you can see the actual performance of the Chinese frigate. If the 054-type can accomplish very well escort action, it will greatly improve Chinese warships in the international market, the impression points, and thus attract a large number of customers.
The Type 054 is successor to the Jiangwei and Jianghu class frigates of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy. It has been compared to the French La Fayette class frigate. The 4,000 ton (estimated) Type 054 incorporates many stealth features: sloped hull design; radar absorbent materials; and reduction of surface equipment and features.
The main weapon is two four-cell launchers with the YJ-83 sea-skimming anti-shipcruise missile. It also has an eight-cell launcher with the HQ-7 SAM, which is an improved version of the French Crotale missile. The HQ-7 system has 8 ready to fire missiles, plus 16 stored in the automatic reloader. There is a helicopter flight deck at the stern. It also has a 100 mm main gun and four AK-630 CIWS turrets.
BEIJING, July 22 (APP): Pakistan Navy is very satisfied with the performance of the F-22P frigate it bought from China and hopes to further the cooperation with the nation, said Admiral Noman Bashir, Pakistans Chief of Naval Staff. Two of the four F-22P frigates it ordered are already in service in Pakistan Navy, with the third one scheduled to be commissioned on September 15 this year. It is also expected that all the four ships will be in service by 2013. We are very happy with the performance, and some technology is as good as in Western countries, the China Daily quoted Admiral Noman Bashir, who visited China four times last year.
Pakistan also hopes to buy bigger ships with more firepower from China, such as 4,000 ton class frigates.
Pakistan has proposed to develop strategic maritime cooperation with China in both military and commercial sects, such as in fishery, economic development zones, and cargo, he said.
The friendship between China and Pakistan is greater than the Himalayas and deeper than the Ocean. We already made progress in air force and other areas, now we should further and expand the cooperation in Navy, a broadly-based relation.
Pakistans strategic geographical location in the Arabian Sea and its long coastline mean its possible contribution to the missions of Chinas navy, particularly under the context of energy need from the Persian Gulf, said Pakistan officials.
Pakistan also has rich experiences in countering illegal activities at sea in order to maintain maritime security, four ships participated in anti-piracy operations, and there has been no act of maritime terrorism in its region in the recent past.
We can provide facilities, ports, logistics, maintenance among other things (to Chinese navy), said a Pakistan navy official.
Pakistan hopes to buy more ships from China, UK and France according to its development plan
Published: September 03, 2010
-
Warships International Fleet Review: For Littoral Ops, the Navy Should Look to the Army
www.warisboring.com —
On July 22, U.S. shipbuilder Austal laid the keel for the U.S. Army’s Spearhead, the first of a 10-ship class of high-speed catamaran transports that will be jointly operated by the Army and the U.S. Navy.
LSV. Via Globalsecurity.org.
by DAVID AXE
On July 22, U.S. shipbuilder Austal laid the keel for the U.S. Army’s Spearhead, the first of a 10-ship class of high-speed catamaran transports that will be jointly operated by the Army and the U.S. Navy. The $160-million, 100-meter Spearhead will be the most sophisticated ship with a shared, Army-Navy pedigree — but it’s not the first. The Army operates many of the same classes of coastal vessels as the Navy, including small and large landing craft and wheeled amphibious tractors. There’s one important type of Army vessel the Navy doesn’t possess.
The so-called Logistics Support Vessel is a 272-foot, flat-bottomed, beachable, roll-off vessel costing just $32 million. The Army’s eight LSVs, commissioned beginning in the late 1980s, are what independent U.S. naval analyst Craig Hooper called “humble-tech.” “They are long-legged, lightly-manned utility infielders — perfect for experimentation, maintenance support, logistics aid or, well, almost anything but ‘high-threat’ stuff,” Hooper wrote. He and other critics are calling on the Navy to adopt similar vessels to complement the bigger, more expensive ships that dominate U.S. shipbuilding plans.
“An LSV, with its slow speed, tiny draft, mid-sized crew (a core of about 30) and long legs (5,000 miles) would be a perfect ‘presence’ tool for Africa and the Pacific Islands,” Hooper wrote. With its 2,000-ton capacity, “the LSV can bring a lot of stuff to a lot of places.” Not only that, the basic LSV design, built by VT Halter Marine in Mississippi, can be modified for carrying helicopters and small boats, turning it into a tiny aircraft carrier or “mothership” for patrol and riverine craft. The Philippines navy operates two LSVs as helicopter carriers.
The Army’s LSVs underscore an important truth about U.S. maritime power. More so than most nations, America has distributed its sea power across multiple organizations. The U.S. Navy is the main “owner” of maritime assets, but by no means the only one. Military Sealift Command, the Army, the Coast Guard and even the Air Force operate military-grade seagoing vessels that must be counted in the U.S. National Fleet. Ignoring any of America’s “other” navies risks under-utilizing unique skills and assets. The Coast Guard, for instance, is building a class of powerful, efficient, long-range patrol vessels that would be perfect for persistent patrols in pirate-infested waters. Likewise, the Army with its LSVs is an important repository of littoral capability.
The problem is that the Army rarely figures in any strategic maritime planning. The land service’s LSVs are left strictly supporting land operations, most recently hauling supplies between Persian Gulf ports. There’s no reason that U.S. Army LSVs couldn’t get involved in such missions, Hooper wrote. “Let’s get these humble platforms out into the field, and perhaps, after giving them a chance, the experience might start getting us to think a little harder about how a handful of cheap, specialized LSVs … might contribute to U.S. security.”
Full the full story, subscribe to Warships International Fleet Review.
Related posts:
- Warships International Fleet Review: To Counter Chinese Attack Boats, Navy Must Think Small
- Warships International Fleet Review: USA Should Have a Bigger Small-Ship Navy
- Warships International Fleet Review: Unmanned Systems Could Help Fill “Fighter Gap”
Published: September 03, 2010
-
Sea piracy threatens global economy, Rear Admiral Ertuğrul says
www.closeprotectionworld.co.uk —
The new Commander of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) Rear Admiral Sinan Ertuğrul said Thursday sea piracy threatened not only regional economy but global economy as well.. .
The new Commander of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) Rear Admiral Sinan Ertuğrul said Thursday sea piracy threatened not only regional economy but global economy as well.
Rear Admiral Ertuğrul assumed his post on Wednesday with a ceremony held on Turkey’s TCG Gokceada Frigate at Bahrain’s Mina Port.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Ertuğrul said that he will serve as the Commander of CTF-151 for a period of three months.
In the past few years, the number of incidents of sea piracy increased dramatically. Sea piracy poses a threat to the global economy, navigation and shipping, Ertuğrul stressed.
Turkey supported the CTF-151 mission by sending officers. Turkey has displayed the necessary will to facilitate international security in seas by assuming active duties, Ertugrul said.
CTF-151 is an international naval task force, set up in response to piracy attacks in shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia.
CTF-151 operates in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia covering an area of approximately 1.1 million square miles.
CTF-151 is a multinational task force established in January 2009 to conduct counterpiracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) area of responsibility to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. The command staff is composed of personnel from a number of coalition countries.
CTF-151 was established based on a decision of the United Nations Security Council.
Every year around 33,000 ships cross the region where CTF-151 serves. 26 percent of all oil exports in the world go through the region. The region’s contribution to the world economy is estimated to be around 380 billion USD.
Published: September 02, 2010
-
Somali Pirates Strike Again as They Hijack Yemeni Cargo Ship
www.news-bits.com —
On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, Yemen’s Defense Ministry informed the public, through their website, that a band of Somali pirates have hijacked a Yemeni cargo ship. … The pirates are believed to be holding the nine crew members captive.
On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, Yemen’s Defense Ministry informed the public, through their website, that a band of Somali pirates have hijacked a Yemeni cargo ship. The pirates are believed to be holding the nine crew members captive.
The cargo vessel was on its way to the port of Aden and was seized after sailing [...]Published: September 02, 2010
-
Surge in pirate attacks in South China Sea: IMB
news4u.co.in —
. News4u-News Desk-Kuala Lumpur, (AFP) Seafarers have reported a surge in attacks by armed pirates in a South China Sea shipping lane, an international maritime watchdog said today.. .
News4u-News Desk-Kuala Lumpur, (AFP) Seafarers have reported a surge in attacks by armed pirates in a South China Sea shipping lane, an international maritime watchdog said today.
Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre, said there had been eight attacks off Indonesia’s Mangkai island in the past two weeks.
“It appears one or more groups of pirates are operating in the area. Pirates are armed with guns and machetes and robbed vessels of cash and crew valuables,” he told AFP.
Since February the IMB has been informed of 26 attacks in the area, he said, adding that the maritime body had asked Indonesia to beef up patrols to prevent further incidents.
Mangkai island lies on a busy sea passage running along the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula. It is a major route for ships heading between East Asian nations and the Pacific Ocean.
International Maritime Bureau
Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.
Note: There is an email link embedded within this post, please visit this post to email it.
Published: September 03, 2010
-
RUSSIANS DEAL WITH SOMALI PIRATES
community.fearnet.com —
While there are conflicting reports, an international news agency reports that a ship carrying Somali Pirates was captured after attempting to storm a Russian Oil Vessel. … Blowing up the ship and the murderous, shitbag pirates to the murky depths.
While there are conflicting reports, an international news agency reports that a ship carrying Somali Pirates was captured after attempting to storm a Russian Oil Vessel. After accumulating evidence and pictures and verification, the Russian Captain decided to exercise the authority of ships captains at sea and went by the 17-18th century international law which allows the execution of pirates on the high seas in international waters. Instead of a mass hanging, the pirates were left secured on their ship and charges set. Blowing up the ship and the murderous, shitbag pirates to the murky depths. Nice job Komrades. Im good with that.Published: September 03, 2010
-
Captains Blame ExxonMobil for Pirate Attack
www.courthousenews.com —
HOUSTON (CN) – Co-captains claim ExxonMobil endangered them by equipping their ship with a remotely monitored “Fueltrax system” that prompted pirates to board their ship off Nigeria, pistol whip
HOUSTON (CN) – Co-captains claim ExxonMobil endangered them by equipping their ship with a remotely monitored “Fueltrax system” that prompted pirates to board their ship off Nigeria, pistol whip them and their crew and dismantle the system, which, ironically, had been installed to “reduce the frequency and success of fuel theft.”Published: September 02, 2010
-
Captains Blame ExxonMobil for Pirate Attack
www.reallibertymedia.com —
. HOUSTON (CN) – Co-captains claim ExxonMobil endangered them by equipping their ship with a remotely monitored “Fueltrax system” that prompted pirates to board their ship off Nigeria, pistol
HOUSTON (CN) – Co-captains claim ExxonMobil endangered them by equipping their ship with a remotely monitored “Fueltrax system” that prompted pirates to board their ship off Nigeria, pistol whip them and their crew and dismantle the system, which, ironically, had been installed to “reduce the frequency and success of fuel theft.”
Published: September 02, 2010
-
No sharing ships, say UK and France
www.isavesmart.com —
But British defence officials, irritated by reports of plans to “combine forces” and “share” ships, are keen to play down the significance of tomorrow’s meeting.
The Guardian World News >>
Latest news and features from guardian.co.uk, the world’s leading liberal voice
Reports that two countries are to combine forces denied as defence secretaries meet to discuss closer military co-operation
British and French officials engaged in high-level defence talks have denied reports the two countries are considering sharing aircraft carriers, but are paving the way for unprecedented military co-operation, according to sources on both sides of the Channel.
Speaking on the eve of talks in Paris between the defence secretary, Liam Fox, and his French counterpart, Hervé Morin, officials said plans were being drawn up in an attempt to save money but maintain capabilities.
“We’re in a phase where we must absolutely synchronise our budget cuts so that, in the end, there’s no loss in our military capacities,” a senior French diplomat told Agence France Presse news agency this week.
But British defence officials, irritated by reports of plans to “combine forces” and “share” ships, are keen to play down the significance of tomorrow’s meeting. Morin is expected to be a victim of an imminent French government reshuffle.
“We will be looking at areas of closer co-operation between the two countries. But there are no plans to share carriers,” British officials said.
Officials are instead pointing to the significance of the Franco-British summit between David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy, due to be held in England on 5 November. In a keynote address to ambassadors last month, Sarkozy said France was prepared to undertake “concrete” defence projects with Britain. He added: “We will be discussing this with them without taboos in November.”
The results of the British government’s strategic defence and security review are expected to be announced before the November summit, making it easier for Cameron and Sarkozy to announce specific plans for co-operation.
Recent reports the two countries were planning to share ships, notably aircraft carriers, have provoked a storm of protest. Lord Boyce, the former first sea lord, said: “You cannot co-own an asset. It is totally impracticable and simply won’t work.”
French military officials have also expressed concerns about the practical problems involved, including different warship design. The countries also have different interests or have taken opposing positions on key international issues, including the Falklands Islands, former French colonies in Africa and the invasion of Iraq.
However, there are many potential areas of defence co-operation, which British and French officials have been working on intensely throughout the summer.
Britain is building two carriers at a cost of £5.2bn which are due to enter service in 2016 and 2018. They are unlikely to fall victim of the defence review, officials say, if only because £2bn has already been spent on them and under the contracts with shipyards and the manufacturers BAE Systems, Babcock International, and the French company Thales, scrapping them would save less than £1bn.
France, which has one aircraft carrier, has delayed until next year a decision on whether to build a second one.
Instead of sharing carriers, Britain and France could ensure more effective co-operation on missions about which the two governments agree, officials say. These could include humanitarian operations such as those off Lebanon four years ago and in the Persian Gulf.
Britain and France could also increase the “interoperability” of their warships, provide surface escorts for each other’s carriers, and synchronise nuclear missile submarine patrols, officials say.
Officials point to successful co-operation between the two countries in the past on maritime missions in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and countering pirates off the Horn of Africa.
Richard Norton-Taylor
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More FeedsPublished: September 02, 2010
-
Russia To Strengthen Black Sea Fleet with 15 New Combat Ships and Subs
feeds.russianews.net —
reports with reference to Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky. … In addition, two vessels of the Baltic Fleet will be redeployed to the Black Sea to struggle against piracy.
reports with reference to Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky. In addition, two vessels of the Baltic Fleet will be redeployed to the Black Sea to struggle against piracy.Published: September 03, 2010
