Russian Navy to Continue Anti-Piracy Mission off Coast of Somalia

[Hindustani78]

Russian Navy to Continue Anti-Piracy Mission off Coast of Somalia / Sputnik International
02.01.2015

Currently, Russia's anti-piracy mission is performed by the squadron of Northern Fleet warships led by submarine chaser Severomorsk. Russian warships have been carrying out the mission to ensure the safety of navigation in the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden since 2008.


MOSCOW, January 2 (Sputnik) — Warships and support vessels of Russian Navy will continue to perform tasks to prevent pirate attacks on civilian ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa, Navy commander-in-chief Adm. Viktor Chirkov said Friday.
Currently, Russia's anti-piracy mission is performed by the squadron of Northern Fleet warships led by submarine chaser Severomorsk, which is expected to guide four convoys of various classes vessels through potentially hazardous areas.

"It is expected that 4-5 campaigns of [Russia's] Northern and Pacific fleets warships will be organized during the year in areas of increased pirate activity off the African east coast. To support the activities of these squadrons, additional vessels (tankers, rescue vessels) of all [Russian] fleets will be involved," Chirkov said.

The scheme of Russian warships actions in the Gulf of Aden will remain unchanged and will include the organization of the escort of civil ships convoys. The training for the inspection and anti-terror groups will be implemented at the permanent bases of the fleets, as well as at the Joint Training Center of the Navy in St. Petersburg.

The struggle against pirates in the Gulf of Aden is conducted as part of the 2008 EU Naval mission Atalanta and the NATO operation Ocean Shield launched in 2009. The latter, in addition to the primary task of combating piracy, is also expected to help countries in the region to launch their own measures against the threat.

Russian warships have been carrying out the mission to ensure the safety of navigation in the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden since 2008.

 

[Hindustani78]

Up to five deployments of Russian naval ships may be conducted in 2015 for Africa counter-piracy mission (Part 2) - Interfax

Up to five deployments of Russian naval ships may be conducted in 2015 for Africa counter-piracy mission (Part 2)
MOSCOW. Jan 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Up to five units of Russian naval ships may be sent to the Gulf of Aden and districts off the Horn of Africa coast to protect civilian vessels operating in these areas from attacks by sea pirates.

"As Navy Commander Admiral Viktor Chirkov has announced, "there are plans this year to organize 4-5 deployments of units of combat ships from the Northern and Pacific Fleets to districts of heightened pirate activity off Africa's eastern coasts. Support vessels (tankers and rescue tugboats) of all fleets will be added to these units," Russian Navy spokesman Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said, citing Chirkov.

The counter-piracy mission currently involves a unit of Northern Fleet ships, including the large anti-submarine ship Severomorsk, "which will have to ensure the safe passage of four convoys of different civilian vessels through potentially dangerous districts," Dygalo said.

"The patter of activities of Russian combat ships in the Gulf of Aden will remain unchanged and will continue to include escorting convoys of civilian vessels. Specialists for inspection and counter-terrorism groups will be trained at fleets' permanent bases, as well as on the premises of the Navy's United Training Center in St. Petersburg," Dygalo said.

In 2015, "combat ships and support vessels of the Navy will continue to tackle tasks aimed at preventing pirate attacks on civilian vessels in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa," he said.