UAVs To Counter Maritime Piracy

Maritime piracy spiked in many parts of the world in the early 2000s, particularly in oceans with high traffic and relatively long distances being covered by container ships with little or no protection in the open waters.

During the first three quarters of 2017, an estimated 121 incidences of piracy occurred. Incidences of piracy covered such actions as attempted attacks, boardings, shootings, hijackings (and attempts), and citings of suspicious vessels by commercial shipping.

The waters of the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Eden are well-known when it comes to piracy. Yet 40 percent of all piracy attacks undertaken over the past two decades occurred in Asian waters.

Piracy has become a major security concern in the context of commercial shipping operations taking place from the Andaman Sea to the waters off the northern coast of the Philippines.

In 2016 and 2015, the greatest concentration of piracy, which predominantly included boardings but attacks as well, took place in the SEA region.

Southeast Asia is a “paradise” for pirates because governments have failed to establish early warning systems and thus develop their early warning and response capabilities, while surveillance and control have been falling behind the growing challenge.

In such a setting, the use of unmanned systems, from UAVs to unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), provides a distinctive area of opportunity for states seeking to reduce the threat of piracy toward vital commercial shipping and shipping routes. Relatively cost effective, UAVs are able to surveil extended areas and provide security through continuous reconnaissance.

UAVs have been discussed as possible instruments of anti-piracy for several years as other efforts have proved to be of limited effect. Target hardening, for instance, has played a significant role in reducing the threat of piracy in certain locations, but hardening every potential target comes at a great cost and cannot be treated as a feasible long-term solution in the face of piracy, especially without incorporating the UAV element.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that commercial shipping companies that rely on the use of strategic choke points and operate in distant locations beyond the reaches of maritime security forces have increasingly turned their attention to UAVs being employed in this domain.

Efforts have been undertaken to incorporate UAVs into anti-piracy missions. The European Union Naval Force’s (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, the EU’s anti-piracy naval mission off the coast of Somalia, deployed UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISR) purposes.

Such efforts could be replicated in the SEA maritime domain, and to great effect. Local navies could seek to incorporate UAVs in their ISR, though such efforts do not come without their own set of challenges.

Of the regional navies, Indonesia and Malaysia have the financial, logistical, and operational capabilities to deploy medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones. Smaller units could be used for ISR purposes closer shorelines and for tracking piracy locations, sanctuaries, and raids on safe havens at short distances.

UAVs can provide advanced warning for essential shipping and the movement of much-needed goods in for growing economies and populations. The deployment of these systems can also reduce the burden placed on conventional air forces assigned to anti-piracy duties and as a result reduce the financial burdens that fall on governments.

The United States has increasingly employed its ScanEagle UAV, which is also operated by other partners in the international fight against piracy in the open waters. The MQ-8B Fire Scout (with a unit cost of under $20 million) is another vital instrument incorporated into international efforts to combat piracy.

Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout, introduced over a decade ago, can complement strike squadrons ready at sea to interdict potential pirates in vital waterways. These are viable solutions for states able to afford and manage intricate systems or that either rely on or work directly with the United States in the maritime security realm.

China’s U650 seaplane drone, which can make water-landings, represents an alternative to the United States’ offerings. The completely unmanned unit, now being mass-produced in Shanghai, is capable of operating for up to 15 hours at travel at a speed in excess of 110 mph.

Research and development in the unmanned realm has shown the potential to spawn a healthy competition between drone states, possibly leading to benefits for others in the commercial maritime realm.

Beyond efforts led by states, the possibility of using private security companies for unmanned surveillance ought to be considered carefully.

Private companies could provide such services in a two-fold system.

The first would be via MALE drones, capable of tracking and surveilling on a broad scale.

The second option comes in the form of deploying armed guards, as is increasingly the custom on international shipping vessels, using small unmanned units.

The use of smaller UAVs by private security companies and contractors would enhance their own ISR capabilities, increase their ability to provide security and could function as early-warning systems for the state.

As UAV costs, small and medium alike, have come down in recent years, it seems increasingly likely that private companies, as non-state security actors, could provide help to fill the security gap when it comes to this vital aspect of the global economy.

At the same time, the wholesale of military UAVs, as enabled by China, has helped SEA military actors acquire their own unmanned aerial capabilities.

A combination of these state actors and non-state, commercial efforts by shipping companies and contractors could provide the aerial surveillance capability needed to reduce the threat of piracy in the waters around SEA and turn the “pirates’ paradise” once more into a safe and secure shipping heaven.

The Diplomat

You Might Also Read: 

Maritime Cybersecurity: No Substitute for Testing:

Mini Drones See in the Dark:

No Need To Shoot Down Drones – Just Hijack Them:

 

 

 

 

« Flying Drones Scan Packages 24/7
5 Cyber Threats Executives Should Understand »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD offers expert-led cybersecurity training to help organisations safeguard their operations and data.

Hex Security

Hex Security

Hex Security Limited is a specialist Information Assurance (IA) consultancy working with associates and partners to deliver security certification and accreditation support.

Security Weekly

Security Weekly

Security Weekly provides free content within the subject areas of IT security news, vulnerabilities, hacking, and research.

Mimecast

Mimecast

Mimecast delivers cloud-based email management for Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office 365 including archiving, continuity and security.

Deep Identity

Deep Identity

Deep Identity is a boutique system integrator, with expertise in tailored identity governance & administration (IGA) and identity access management (IAM) solutions.

CUIng.org

CUIng.org

The CUIng initiative was launched to tackle the problem of criminal exploitation of information hiding techniques.

Array Networks

Array Networks

Array Networks, the network functions platform company, develops purpose-built systems for hosting virtual networking and security functions with guaranteed performance.

Mantix4

Mantix4

Mantix4’s M4 Cyber Threat Hunting Platform actively defends against cyber threats.

ClassNK Consulting Service (NKCS)

ClassNK Consulting Service (NKCS)

ClassNK Consulting provides consulting services to the maritime industry with a focus on safety, security and compliance.

Porto Research, Technology & Innovation Center (PORTIC)

Porto Research, Technology & Innovation Center (PORTIC)

PORTIC brings together several research centers and groups from P.PORTO in a single space, forming a superstructure dedicated to research, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship.

GrayMatter

GrayMatter

GrayMatter provides Advanced Industrial Analytics, OT Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation and Automation & Control services to clients across the U.S. and Canada.

Regtank Technology

Regtank Technology

Regtank is a one-stop compliance solution for fintechs, navigating compliance, security and risk management.

Sec3

Sec3

Sec3 is a security and research firm providing bespoke audits and cutting edge tools to Web3 projects.

Security Discovery

Security Discovery

Stay ahead of cyber threats with Security Discovery. We offer expert consulting, comprehensive services, and a powerful vulnerability monitoring SaaS platform.

Next DLP

Next DLP

Next DLP (formerly Jazz Networks) is a leading provider of insider risk and data protection solutions.

Early Game Ventures (EGV)

Early Game Ventures (EGV)

Early Game Ventures invests in startups that jumpstart new industries in the emerging markets of Europe.

Cyro Cyber

Cyro Cyber

Cyro Cyber is a collective of some of the UK’s most experienced and savvy cybersecurity, information assurance, data protection, IT governance and compliance experts.