Could pirates develop their own drone air force? Military analysts warn maritime criminals are turning to new technology
- Analyst's report warns of sea-faring criminals embracing hi-tech solutions
- It outlines the challenges facing those fighting illegal maritime activity
- 'Maritime non-state actors' are becoming increasingly sophisticated
- Military agencies should focus budgets to counter these new threats
Pirates and smugglers on the high seas are embracing technology by using drones, satellite tracking and submarines to plan their daring raids.
With technology constantly improving and becoming more affordable, analysts have warned that pirates and traffickers could potentially develop their own drone air force.
Rather than just trying to outrun naval ships, pirates and drug smugglers may increasingly turn to GPS to track vessels, approach their targets using home-made submarines and use drones for surveillance.
Rather than just trying to outrun naval ships, pirates, drug smugglers may increasingly turn to GPS to track vessels, approach their targets by home-made submarines and launch drones to check the coast is clear. A new report from a Canadian military analyst outlines the future threats. Pictured are Indonesian pirates
The warnings come from a report which outlines the future challenges facing those who fight illegal maritime activity.
It details the increasing reach of technology being used to plan and commit criminal acts at sea, and how military forces must adapt to face these emerging threats.
Those involved in sea-based criminal activity, so-called 'maritime non-state actors' (MSNAs) – which covers pirates, smugglers and people traffickers – are adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, reports Motherboard.
'MSNAs are increasingly being empowered by technology,' wrote David Rudd, a defence analyst for the Canadian government, who wrote the report.
While relatively rare at the moment, analysts forecast that the rise of drone technology could mean 'maritime non-state actors', such as pirates and smugglers, could develop an air force of their own (stock image)
While relatively rare at the moment, analysts forecast that the rise of drone technology could mean MSNAs could develop an air force of their own.
It quotes one analyst as saying: 'To date, there have been relatively few cases of other countries and, more important, non-state actors, employing drones.
'But they are coming…The proliferation of drones could radically alter the tactical battle space.'
The Canadian analyst, reports that the military could also deploy drones of their own vehicles to detect shallow submarines used by criminals.
Rudd details how naval units might turn to 'technologies to thwart low-acoustic signature swimmers' in order to catch criminals in the act.
Naval forces are currently engaged in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations around the world.
The UK government is supporting counter-piracy missions in off the Gulf of Oman, to protect commercial shipping vessels from attacks by Somali pirates.
Naval forces are currently engaged in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations around the world, such as in the Gulf of Oman, to try and stop the capture of commercial and private vessels (pictured)
The UK government is supporting counter-piracy missions in off the Gulf of Oman, to protect commercial shipping vessels from attacks by Somali pirates (pictured)
British forces have also joined French, German, Spanish and Italian forces in the fight to stop illegal trafficking of refugees to Europe from North Africa.
Rudd calls for military agencies to focus their budgets for suitable tactics to better counter the threats.
The analyst concluded: 'If the RCN is mandated to assume a degree of responsibility for (or visibility in) future maritime security operations, its current re-capitalization plans present a good opportunity to debate how and to what degree new tactics can be adopted and what new technologies can be incorporated into vessels which will soon enter service.'
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