[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

There's plenty of capital in mercenary outfits in Iraq and Afghanistan (well, PMCs to give them the more politically correct term). Perhaps they should start thinking about arming merchantmen in that area with some PMC chaps on board to deter the pirates.
Of course, that in turn adds a large overhead on top of an already expensive trade, although I imagine the oil and LNG companies will be able to afford it easily.

Already under consideration...

In July, Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham told a committee of MPs that limited resources in the light of current military commitments could not allow Royal Marines to do the same.
However, he said the government was considering allowing private armed guards to be posted on British merchant vessels.