Two Luxembourg patrol aircraft based in the Seychelles

(BRUSSELS2) Two small maritime patrol aircraft, Swearingen Merlin III, will be based in the Seychelles to deal with a possible resurgence of piracy at the end of the monsoon in the Indian Ocean. They will be under the command of the EU anti-piracy force (Eunavfor Atalanta). An agreement came after talks between the government of Seychelles, the British High Commissioner in the archipelago and the French embassy - who represent the EU in these islands; IDiscussions continue for greater cooperation (1) This device therefore complements the Awacs already arrived in Djibouti (read here).

Both Swearingen Merlin III, will be provided by the Luxembourg government, and operated by Luxembourg-based CAE Aviation. The crew and its mechanics will be stationed on the island. I'plane can remain 6 hours in flight. It is equipped with radar, day and night detectors. In addition to water surveillance at the request of the Atalanta CP, part of the training of the Seychelles coast guards in this type of observation could be provided.

cae aviation is a small company founded in 1971 specializing in certain activities: aeronautics (Aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, paratrooper transport/dropping, intelligence and image analysis, geophysical study, etc.), as well as maintenance, design and/or distribution of avionics equipment . It mainly works for the Luxembourg government and NATO, but it assists in certain EU operations. Thus a plane was dispatched a Casa to Malta within the framework of the fight against illegal immigration, in order to reinforce (and train) the Maltese forces.

(1) Among the provisions considered, a pirate delivery agreement faces several difficulties. Among these: one of a legal nature, the criminal procedure of the Seychelles is more difficult than that of Kenya, which remains modeled on British law (as a result to have lawyers who know all the fine points of the law and above all be able to applying it to European boats is not easy). The other is practical, the justice of the country is less equipped" than that of Kenya to deal with an influx of pirates, the island is not very rich, it has only one prison and the number of criminal judges is not legion.