Armed guards to protect UK ships

[papa_smurf]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15510467

Ships sailing under a British flag will be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, the prime minister has announced.
David Cameron says he wants to combat the risks to shipping off the coast of Somalia, where 49 of the world's 53 hijackings last year took place.
No ship carrying armed security has yet been hijacked, the government claims.
Up to 200 vessels flying the red ensign - the British merchant navy flag - regularly sail close to Somalia.


Now, is this a good/bad idea? Will it up the ante in off the Horn of Africa, as pirates respond by arming themselves with heavier weaponry, and ship owners doing the same?

[Platapus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15510467



Now, is this a good/bad idea?

Yes.

However, I think it is the correct idea.

It will deter some of the more casual pirating as the pirates will simply pick easier targets (Law of the Predator)

However, the less common targeted-piracy will become more violent.

But there is no way to fight piracy either in the 16th or the 21st century other than armed defense.

[Skybird]

This should have been done years earlier.

Last but not least because it is not only more efficient, but also more economic, in costs. Those navy excercises with warships they keep running there in circles produce remarkable little effect for remarkably high costs. It has also allowed the pirates to beef up their weaponry and encouraged them to increase their operation zone.

Shoulderpads, heavy MGs and MCs, or snipers with M107s. And in case of big ships maybe even armed Little Birds onboard. On tankers they can land for sure, you have to worry for static electricity charge and sparks from the rotorblades, though, with all that oil around and gas in the air.

[Jimbuna]

A good idea IMHO and a lot cheaper than the current practice of naval warships constantly patrolling the area.

What with the number of redundancies within our armed forces over recent times there should be no shortage of capable and suitably trained personnel to carry out the task.

[soopaman2]

Reminds me of this.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/12/navy-seals-kill-pirates-rescue-american-hostage/

The more bodybags we send back to that fly infested cesspool the more of a detterent it will provide. It boggles me how barefooted skinnies with nothing more than light arms can manage to become millionaires with a glorified rowboat and an AK-47 with a half a clip.:06:

As of now I read about actions by the Chinese, GB, and the USA out there to protect shipping.

Add your name to the rolls if I missed any.:)

[Jimbuna]

I'll add Russia and Holland but there are quite a few more....come on peeps.

[antikristuseke]

AK-47 with a half a clip.:06:


http://www.knewance.com/storage/post-images/clip_magazine.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=12792 44330073


:stare:

[CCIP]

I'll add Russia and Holland but there are quite a few more....come on peeps.

Canada!

There's a canuck ship in those waters almost at all times, proving that we still have a blue-water navy :yep:

[Hakahura]

http://www.knewance.com/storage/post-images/clip_magazine.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=12792 44330073


:stare:

Good point, well presented.

Ironic, but to me that appears to be 5.45 x 39 rounds on the stripper clip.
And I know for a fact what 5.56 Stanag Magazine looks like.

[Jimbuna]

Canada!

There's a canuck ship in those waters almost at all times, proving that we still have a blue-water navy :yep:

A few more:

France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Belgium.

[nikimcbee]

What ever happened to the RN?

[nikimcbee]

http://www.knewance.com/storage/post-images/clip_magazine.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=12792 44330073

Hey, it's a SKS-clip:rock:

[Highbury]

As of now I read about actions by the Chinese, GB, and the USA out there to protect shipping.

Add your name to the rolls if I missed any.:)

The operation is called Combined Task Force 151 which is part of the Combined Maritime Forces.

http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/ctf-151-counter-piracy/

[TLAM Strike]

A few more:

France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Belgium.
The Dutch. :03:

Oh and Iran. Or so they claim. :haha:

[papa_smurf]

What ever happened to the RN?

At the rate its been cut, the only RN ships in that area will be Royal Fleet Axillary ships (i.e support ships).

[Rhodes]

A few more:

France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Belgium.


Cof cof cof, last april...
"Portuguese Take Command of EU NAVFOR Counter Piracy Taskforce"

:O:

[BossMark]

Shoot first ask questions later :yep:

[Jimbuna]

The Dutch. :03:



#6 :O:

[Jimbuna]

Here are the 25 members of the Combined Maritime Forces:

Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, U.K. and U.S.

China and Russia are obviously not members despite the fact they have assets in the area conducting anti-piracy patrols :hmmm:

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Finland had one minelayer/escort ship in area sometime ago participating in the European operation. Its good that they are not there anymore as if I understood correctly they were allowed to use for only if they were shot at. :06:

[Penguin]

Maybe we'll see a return of the Q-ships!

I think private guards are a better solution than having the taxpayer pay for the safety of private merchants, as this is not an armed conflict between states, just oprdinary criminal behavior.

I also would like to see the subsidies of the EU fishing fleet that fishes off the coast of Africa go away - subsided with 500.000€ per ship.

[antikristuseke]

Good point, well presented.

Ironic, but to me that appears to be 5.45 x 39 rounds on the stripper clip.
And I know for a fact what 5.56 Stanag Magazine looks like.

It's a pet peeve of mine, I get really, really annoyed whem people make that mistake. And yes, I do believe it is an SKS clip, but that would be 7.62x39mm not 5.24x39mm.