UK, France to Destroy Land Infrastructure of Somali Pirates

Great Britain and France are forming strike task force in order to destroy land infrastructure of Somali pirates, reports BBC.

The task force includes French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, British light aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark, and support ships. The task force mandated by the EU last month to attack land assets of Somali pirates will be deployed near the Horn of Africa since coming August.

Pirates are traditionally most active early in autumn when summer heat is gone, said a British security expert. That is when their infrastructure will be attacked, he added.

According to BBC, European military experts reached a conclusion that pirates’ fast-speed boats should be destroyed in basing sites, i.e. ports of southern Somalia; they also decided to destroy land infrastructure including fuel depots. For this purpose, it is planned to use helicopters like Apache based on HMS Illustrious. Landing assault operation is not slated.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , April 06, 2012; Image: pinnela