Russian and French warships exchange data in Gulf of Aden

11.03.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: frigate Neustrashimy (nnm.ru)

Russian and French warships countering piracy off Somalia actively exchange information for better coordination of their activity, informed Wednesday RIA Novosti citing Pierre Francois Forissier, French Navy Commander-in-Chief.

In Nov 2008 European Union launched an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden. This first-ever EU naval operation was named Atalanta. Apart from EU warships, task units from India, China, Russia and some other countries take part in the operation.

"At present, we actively exchange data with the view to improve interaction between our ships. Some practical measures were taken; particularly, Atalanta informational system was installed on Russian warship deployed in the Gulf of Aden", said French Navy CIC.

In his opinion, the most critical problem for the moment is legislation issues. "Restraint in use of navies is imposed by legal restrictions but not shipborne systems. Thus, we work in close contact with our governments to create juridical base", Forissier said.

He underlined that Russian and French navies are among the world's biggest ones. "We cooperate in fighting piracy at the Gulf of Aden and have extensive prospects. But whatever big is a country, it can't enhance security at sea alone", said the French admiral.

Baltic Fleet's (BF) frigate Neustrashimy is currently on patrol at the Gulf of Aden. Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit consisting of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov, ocean-going tug, and tanker Pechenga sailed off Vladivostok to shift Neustrashimy. Ships have marine units on board.