The Johan de Witt blocks pirates along the coast
The blue sea. Sand. Not a tree. A beach to make a lover of solitude dream? Oh no. It is quite simply one of the pirate "ports" nestled on the Somali coast, observed by the Dutch ship of the EU anti-piracy fleet, HNLMS Johan de Witt, which is currently on an observation and interception mission. , along the coast.
The Johan de Witt thus blocked access to the sea for these pirate ships, we learn from Atalanta HQ. An amphibious ship, the Johan de Witt has landing craft (LCVPs) which allow it to operate easily near the coast, with more discretion than a warship (1).
In this case, the European navies currently have a precious ally, the weather. The return of the monsoon makes piracy operations more difficult and forces pirates to reach the high seas as quickly as possible.
(photo credit: EUNAVFOR Atalanta)
(1) Le Johan de Witt capture a few more pirates. He plays
the surprise.
If France in particular had maintained its action frigate program towards the land, Europe would have an effective instrument of repression to fight against piracy.
Perhaps it would be useful for military ship design offices at European level to study the concept of dedicated ships. With a “mother” building allowing reception in the rafts of two to four “son” buildings and on the bridge helicopters capable of detecting, pursuing and arresting pirates.
French BPCs could serve as a basis for this concept. But on the condition of having a self-defense armament worthy of the name, as on the Johan de Witt.