A Tactical Campaign at the Horn of Africa: Deploy Unmanned Surface Vehicles for Maritime Security

Countering piracy is a complex issue, and responses to piracy vary according to geographic, political, and legal environments, as well as available international resources. The geographic characteristics associated with the massive maritime operating area and the short time in which pirates can conduct attacks reduce opportunities for timely responses by coalition patrol forces. Effective patrols that can defeat pirates must not only protect the MSPA but also consider close-to-shore patrols to block pirates coming into and out of Somali territory waters. They are small, portable boats with significant capabilities but relatively small costs. They are fast and respond more quickly to the pirates' fast speedboats. The modification of the piracy definition does not address the conditions that have enabled pirates to operate with impunity along Somali territorial waters. Counter-piracy efforts thus focus on three main methods: an international naval presence off the coast of Somalia, improved defensive measures by the shipping industry, and an international framework for resolving piracy cases.