EUNAVFOR using UAV to track pirates
The commander of EUNAVFOR says he expects his counter-piracy force operating off the Horn of Africa to be strengthened and also rates the usefulness of UAVs in discovering where pirates are operating.
EUNAVFOR Operation Commander Maj Gen Martin Smith said he expects his task group to be increased from three to five ships, a figure he described as ‘optimum’.
The five ships will also be supported by two maritime patrol craft and a Predator UAV provided by the Italian Air Force.
At the peak of pirate attacks off Somalia post-2011, the EUNAVFOR fleet comprised up to 15 ships.
Currently, the
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