RAAF Aircraft Disrupts Pirates in the Arabian Sea

An Australian AP-3C Orion aircraft assisted a merchant vessel under attack by pirates in the Arabian Sea.

The Orion was conducting a routine surveillance patrol for the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) when it was re-tasked to investigate a pirate attack taking place on the MV New York Star.

“The Orion crews operate from a great height and are usually unseen elements of Australia’s overall contribution to maritime security in the Middle East region,” said MAJGEN Angus Campbell, Commander Joint Task Force 633. “On this occasion, the pirates knew they were being closely watched as the aircraft descended to a lower altitude.”

A NATO warship, tasked by CMF, sailed to assist the MV New York Star and deployed a boarding team. After securing the merchant vessel, the crew of the MV New York Star released themselves from the ship’s anti-piracy stronghold. Vision taken from the AP-3C showed the pirates firing rocket propelled grenades at the MV New York Star during the attack on the vessel.

Source : MoD Australia