Pirates beware! the Awacs is watching
A French awacs, the E3F of the 36th Airborne Detection and Control Squadron (EDCA) from Avord, is back in the European anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta (1). Based in Djibouti, it made its first operational flight on Tuesday and is expected to remain active in the area for around three weeks.
Advantage of such a device. With the ability to scan an area over 360° and 250 nautical miles, it has a broader spectrum of action than maritime patrol aircraft (PatMar). Very useful as the pirates' catchment area increases both to the south and to the east (2). Even if it is less fine than a PatMar, the Awacs can help identify the various merchant ships sailing in the area, such as those hacked or even used by pirates (3).
It can also be used as a radio relay between the various HQs, the ships and planes engaged in the area, in the event of absence of radio coverage.
(1) An Awacs was already present a year ago, a few weeks, from the end of August 2009.
(2) Read in particular:
- The "Somali" Pirates: Conquering the East!
- A Spanish tuna boat attacked by pirates not far from Mayotte
(3) Read: An AMISOM ship attacked by pirates. A shield freighter