Luxembourg planes in the Seychelles: “very useful” private planes!
(BRUSSELS2) THEarrest of pirates by the Seychelles Coast Guard, after the attack on French tuna boats, has just proved it. The "small" maritime surveillance devices, the Luxembourg-funded Merlin III aircraft turn out to be "very useful".
Short autonomy but well equipped
As an officer from Atalanta (the European anti-piracy operation) confided to me, of course they have a " short battery life, about 3 1/2 hours (NB: for one way, to be multiplied by 2 in total). But they are very suitable for coastal surveillance (like that of the Seychelles archipelago) that P3 Orions are a little oversized for this type of action. The latter are more suitable for maritime patrols on the Indian Ocean. »
Complementary to other aircraft in the area
In fact, the two types of aircraft that Atalanta has or will have (Merlin III or the future Swedish Forces Dash, on the one hand, Orion P3 and Atlantique II, on the other) are very complementary. It is also surprising that, apart from a report from the Luxemburger wort before the start, the government of the Grand Duchy did not really communicate on this issue (this blog had thus been the first to announce this participation).
Innovation is not easy
This is the first time that Luxembourg has taken part in a maritime operation. Anyone who said that a few months ago would have been called ridiculous. And however ! -:) This participation is not symbolic. Two planes for several months, that has a cost. To do this, the Grand Duchy has resorted to private means. It is the private company, CAE Aviation, which supplies planes and crews. There are three per plane: a pilot, a co-pilot, an observer. All coming from the private sector but most of the time former soldiers. A public-private partnership that is not entirely extraordinary in EU operations. We remember the Mi8 "Irish" helicopters at Eufor Chad (but the memory that had been left had not been excellent!).
First paying missions
The Merlin IIIs arrived at the end of September. They are equipped with high-resolution cameras, rotating day and night, with recording
supporting video. If their first mission was routine, their second mission was immediately operational since they were able to fly over thealakrana, the Spanish tuna captured by the pirates, and take the first photos. The last outing, Saturday, in close connection
with the Seychelles Coast Guard, is the aircraft's first "success". The seizure of the mother ship (if confirmed) is indeed a serious setback for the pirates and could restore some security in the area. Maybe...
