欧盟反海盗舰队将扩大巡逻范围

The British admiral in charge of the EU flotilla carrying out anti-piracy¹ patrols off Somalia is considering extending the area which they patrol.

由英国海军上将主管、在索马里海岸巡逻的欧盟反海盗舰队正在考虑扩大巡航海域。

Somali pirates have attacked ships away from the African coast

Rear Adm Peter Hudson said this was because some attacks had been closer to India than the coast of Africa.

The EU Naval² Force is one of the main international formations trying to counter piracy off Somalia.

These forces insist they have reduced the number of successful attacks. But they have not eliminated them.

And the pirates have adapted适应.

'Balance'

Rear Adm Hudson says he is in discussions with his political and military bosses to extend his patrol area because the pirates have been launching attacks at ever great range - up to 1,000 nautical³ miles海里 from the Somali coast.

"I have to keep the balance between area, where my aircraft can go, what advice we give to ships, where the pirates operate," he said.

"It's a constant little equation方程式，等式 that we're looking at.

"And because we've seen some of these attacks now right nearer to India than Africa, we just have to review where our operating area is and we'll make recommendations推荐，建议 to Brussels and see what they think."

Rear Adm Hudson says support from EU countries has been good, including the provision供应品，条款 of vital至关重要的 maritime海事的 patrol aircraft for surveillance监督，监视.

But he has, on average, six to seven warships⁵ under his command, to cover a sea area already 10 times the size of Germany.