Posted by John Keller
The Americans and the British lately have been looking into advanced technologies that may have applications in countering Somali pirates operating in and around the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. These technologies involve directed-energy weapons such as non-lethal lasers to distract and deter pirates, and high-power microwaves that could kill the engines on pirate boats.
Yet while the British and Americans have been talking about new high-tech approaches to anti-piracy, the South Korean navy is showing everyone in the world how to do it -- board captured ships and kill every pirate in sight.
Commandos from the South Korean navy stormed a ship earlier today that had been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, killed at least eight of the pirates in cabin-to-cabin gunfights, captured five other pirates who wisely chose capture over death, and rescued all 21 hostages aboard the 11,500-ton chemical freighter.
The commando force suffered no injuries. The ship's captain suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound during the operation. The South Korean force had a little help from a nearby U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, which also provided a helicopter to transfer the wounded Korean ship's captain.
Those Korean sailors don't mess around, and that's the way it should be. "We will not tolerate any activities that threaten the safety and lives of our people," said South Korea President Lee Myung-Bak, who authorized the operation.
That's not too difficult to understand -- unlike, perhaps, non-lethal lasers and high-power microwaves.
I note that you were NOT on board and at risk when this rescue was attempted. Possibly you should either be present, or better yet, have your children on the ship when you authorize the lethal attack.
ReplyDeleteMaking it personal does make a difference.
John Alexander
author of Future War, and many articles on non-lethal weapons.
Lethal force cuts down on repeat offenders. It amazes me how much we will put up with in the name of humanity. Kill them swiftly and then wait for the next group to arrive. It will not take long for the pirates to catch on. Save the non lethal weapons for the civil disobedient crowd. (They are not kidnapers and murders).
ReplyDeleteTom Weston
The concept of deterrence can be debated endlessly. However, Tom's point is well-made: Using lethal force is 100% effective in eliminating second-time offenses. As long as there are no perceived consequences to acts of piracy, they will continue. The smarter pirates will soon figure out not to attack Korean-flagged vessels (For the not-so-smart pirates... it may take a few more times.)wingman2951wingman2951
ReplyDeleteNote that it was a chemical transport, confidence is high that no children were aboard. That is to say, there is no lock-step or cookie-cutter approach to resolution of problems of this ilk.
ReplyDeleteThere may be instances where non-lethal methods are warranted, such as when children are involved or in proximity. But I support the use of lethal force when appropriate, such as disincentive for repeat violent offenders, particularly when administered by highly trained and effective teams.
Ferg
Simple ways to combat piracy:
ReplyDelete1) NRA convention on a cruise ship - off the coast of Somalia.. bring all the weapons and ammo you can get in your luggage.
2) Remote control ship - cruise it through the area slowly.. when they board, remotely trigger the poison gas. Rinse and repeat.
3) Fill an old ship full of enough conventional explosives to make it heavy in the water. When the pirates board it, blow it up with enough "bang" to make the people 50 miles inland wonder what happened.
4) Aren't the SEALS bored? I'm sure they'd love a training mission or two. Tell them there's a bar with free beer 20 miles inland they have to fight their way to it.
5) Outfit ships in the region with LARGE automatic rotating weapons and enough ammo to bring down a small country.
6) Bring Chuck Norris out of retirement.
7) AC-130
THEY ARE PIRATES. They're not boarding the ship with water pistols and rubber bands. What's the problem?