Japan deploying patrol aircraft to Horn of Africa

Japanese Orion P3-Cs

Lloyd’s List is reporting that Japan is deploying at least 2 P3-C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to be based out of Djibouti and used exclusively for anti-piracy patrols.   The P3-C Orion MPA is specifically designed to conduct long range maritime patrols, up to 14 hours in duration and at a range of 4,600 miles (9,000 km).

This deployment follows scrutiny and criticism of the use of MPA thus far in the anti-piracy efforts in the region.

An optical array and laser designator on a P3-C Orion

Many shipping companies and heads of state have stressed that additional MPA are needed to counter the pirates successfully.

Spain and France have already dedicated patrol aircraft to the Horn of Africa.  India also reportedly dispatched MPA earlier this year.

It is not completely clear how many aircraft the multi-national Combined Task Force 150 has at its disposal or how many, if any, the Task Force is using.  We do know that there was air support involved in the rescue of the Captain from the Maersk Alabama, including the use of unmanned drones.

Lloyd’s List reports that “Maritime security specialists believe that just 18 MPAs would significantly boost the fight against piracy, potentially covering large areas of water from bases such as Djibouti, Mogadishu and Diego Garcia. “