Russian Navy Discloses Somali Deployment Plans

16.10.2012 Russian Navy has developed the plan of its regular presence in the Gulf of Aden and near the Horn of Africa for the next year, said a Russian defense ministry's spokesman.

"As is planned, in 2013 Russian warships will carry out at least three anti-piracy deployments to the Gulf of Aden. The ships will be sent from all fleets by rotation", the source told Interfax.

As for him, "escorting of commercial convoys through risky zones from the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea and back will remain the basic activity".

Practical experience of Russian naval assets in the Gulf of Aden shows that "for effective fighting piracy, it is most reasonable to use ocean-going ships equipped with helicopters", said the Navy spokesman.

As for him, Russian Navy has been deploying its anti-piracy assets to Somalia since Oct 2008 to escort international merchant convoys via so-called Russian safety corridor. Four or five Russian Navy's task units are sent to the region every year. "Through the mentioned period, we have escorted over 700 convoys; none of the civil ships was excepted or lost", said the Navy official.

Russian warships "will continue regular presence in the Gulf of Aden and near the Horn of Africa", emphasized the officer.

Earlier on, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs Thomas Kelly stated that American administration "very much valued" Russia's contribution to international counter-piracy efforts off Somalia.

"Russia is a very active participant in the Contact Group off the Coast of Somalia", Kelly said. "When I was in New York a few weeks ago, I met with my Russian counterpart and we shared perspectives on the problem", he added.