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 

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  '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.

HI-TECH CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 

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.

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. 

A Canadian military analyst, reports that the military could meet the drone threat head on, by using the aerial vehicles to detect shallow submarines used by criminals.

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)

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)

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.'

CRIMINALS EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY

Colombian drug smugglers have used bootleg submarines to carry out daring drug runs (pictured)

Colombian drug smugglers have used bootleg submarines to carry out daring drug runs (pictured)

Military organisations fighting illegal maritime activity are coming up against increasingly sophisticated methods.

Colombian drug smugglers have used bootleg submarines to carry out daring drug runs. In 2010, a submarine being prepared by drug runners to transport tons of cocaine between countries was been seized by anti-narcotics officers.

The 100ft-long diesel and electric-powered vessel was built in a remote jungle in Ecuador near the country's border with Colombia and covered with camouflage markings.

Teams from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration led the operation and helped local police arrest a man before the submarine could be taken on its maiden voyage on a nearby river.

It was examined by experts who found it to be equipped with a conning tower, periscope and air-conditioning system and capable of ocean-going voyages. 

Drug cartels in Central American have developed sleek smuggling vehicles to make it harder for law enforcement to track by radar.

The criminals have replaced older, slow boats with sleek 'Picuda' models that are long, thin and can confound detection methods, the analysts said.

Picudas can go as much as twice as fast as traditional smuggling vessels while carrying around a one ton of illegal drugs each.