ID :
44042
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 22:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/44042
The shortlink copeid
2 MSDF destroyers to be deployed for antipiracy mission off Somalia
TOKYO, Feb. 3 Kyodo -
The Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tuesday that it will send two destroyers
on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia once the defense minister
issues a dispatch order.
The 4,650-ton Sazanami and the 4,550-ton Samidare of the 8th Escort Division of
the 4th Escort Flotilla in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, will be deployed, it
said.
''The Maritime Self-Defense Force will do its utmost to prepare so that it can
cope with (the mission) properly and respond to the public mandate,'' MDSF
Chief of Staff Adm. Keiji Akahoshi said in announcing the decision.
The admiral said that the MSDF had decided on the vessels after considering
factors such as vessel preparedness, crew skills and the burden on the force
from the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led
antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan.
The MSDF said it is considering deploying at least one helicopter on each
destroyer for the antipiracy mission. It is believed that helicopters would be
effective in warding off pirates when providing escorts to commercial ships
during the mission.
The maritime defense force is also considering dispatching a special operations
unit of the MSDF called the Special Boarding Unit aboard the destroyers.
''If it becomes necessary to fire shots, we could make use of the unit members'
skills. Though we haven't decided yet, we are considering their dispatch,''
Akahoshi said.
The MSDF is also considering deploying P-3C patrol aircraft as part of the
operations but has yet to decide on how many or when they would be dispatched,
he added.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told the MSDF last Wednesday to prepare for
deployment to the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to protect Japan-linked ships from
pirates.
The deployment would be made under the maritime police action provision of the
Self-Defense Forces Law, which will restrict the MSDF's use of force in
antipiracy operations to situations such as self-defense.
The dispatch order is expected to be issued around early March. The Defense
Ministry will send a fact-finding mission to the region soon to examine the
port and airfield that the MSDF may use during the mission, ministry officials
said.
==Kyodo
2009-02-03 22:13:07
The Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tuesday that it will send two destroyers
on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia once the defense minister
issues a dispatch order.
The 4,650-ton Sazanami and the 4,550-ton Samidare of the 8th Escort Division of
the 4th Escort Flotilla in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, will be deployed, it
said.
''The Maritime Self-Defense Force will do its utmost to prepare so that it can
cope with (the mission) properly and respond to the public mandate,'' MDSF
Chief of Staff Adm. Keiji Akahoshi said in announcing the decision.
The admiral said that the MSDF had decided on the vessels after considering
factors such as vessel preparedness, crew skills and the burden on the force
from the MSDF's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led
antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan.
The MSDF said it is considering deploying at least one helicopter on each
destroyer for the antipiracy mission. It is believed that helicopters would be
effective in warding off pirates when providing escorts to commercial ships
during the mission.
The maritime defense force is also considering dispatching a special operations
unit of the MSDF called the Special Boarding Unit aboard the destroyers.
''If it becomes necessary to fire shots, we could make use of the unit members'
skills. Though we haven't decided yet, we are considering their dispatch,''
Akahoshi said.
The MSDF is also considering deploying P-3C patrol aircraft as part of the
operations but has yet to decide on how many or when they would be dispatched,
he added.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told the MSDF last Wednesday to prepare for
deployment to the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to protect Japan-linked ships from
pirates.
The deployment would be made under the maritime police action provision of the
Self-Defense Forces Law, which will restrict the MSDF's use of force in
antipiracy operations to situations such as self-defense.
The dispatch order is expected to be issued around early March. The Defense
Ministry will send a fact-finding mission to the region soon to examine the
port and airfield that the MSDF may use during the mission, ministry officials
said.
==Kyodo
2009-02-03 22:13:07
