HMS Northumberland (Photo from the MoD)Navy Is Given New Power To Destroy
Pirate Vessels -- Portsmouth News
Pirate Vessels -- Portsmouth News
The Royal Navy has been given a new role to actively hunt pirate vessels, MPs have been told.
Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said the navy had moved to a more 'proactive posture' in tackling the threat.
Royal Navy sources said commanding officers had been given the power to destroy equipment used by pirates – including sinking their vessels.
A recent escalation in piracy in the lawless waters off the coast of Somalia has involved a series of high-profile raids, including the seizure of the MV Faina carrying a cargo of tanks and weapons.
A US-led international fleet Combined Task Force 150, including the British frigate HMS Northumberland, is already patrolling the Gulf of Aden.
In a Commons written answer, Mr Ainsworth told shadow foreign secretary William Hague yesterday: 'The government's stance on piracy has recently been reviewed.
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My Comment: Let us see if the U.K. Navy will act on what they say they are now permitted to do. In my opinion .... I am skeptical. They may shoot one little fishing boat with some hapless unlucky Somali in it ... but that is about it. To destroy the safe havens, the ports that supply these ships, and to board and kill the Somali pirates that are on these boats .... nope.