Western European Navies (week 48)

Political News
France has finally adapted its law to fight more effectively against piracy. This marks the reintroduction of piracy in French criminal law, which was removed in 2007.

Global Operations
For news from Operation Atalanta: see their website.

A Rafale M , flown from the Charles de Gaulle in Operation Agapanthe, crashed off the coast of Pakistan. The pilot ejected because of what he thought was a fuel shortage, but what now appears to be a faulty gauge.
The first mention in the blogosphere was 10 minutes after the crash.

Vessel Protection Detachments from the EU are now allowed on all Sierra Leone flagged vessels in the Gulf of Aden. A fair amount of AMISOM and WFP vessels fly the flag of Sierra Leone.

The Netherlands is to prosecute more pirates. This will be the first time that a western nation will prosecute pirates that attacked a foreign-flagged vessel in the Somali bassin.

Belgium is to prosecute pirate involved with hijacking of the Belgian dredger MV Pompei back in April 2009. The pirate was, together with others, picked up by BNS Louise Marie. Belgium only adopted a law making this possible in December 2009.

RFA Fort Victoria stops a pirate attack.

Shipbuilding
The specifications for the Royal Navy's Type 23 replacement, the Type 26, have been cut to save money.

With the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal, HMS Albion has become the Royal Navy's flagship.

HMS Astute, the sub that ran aground, is expected to resume sea trials next month.

Denmark is set to buy 12 MH-60R Seahawks.

Exercises
Exercise Emerald Move 2010 has ended.