The German P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) has returned to Djibouti to re-join the fight against piracy being conducted by EU NAVFOR on Operation Atalanta.
The aircraft, its crew and supporting staff deployed to the Horn of Africa area of operations on the 12th of September 2018 to work alongside the Spanish MPRA detachment also based in Djibouti. The German aircraft will enhance the support that the Spanish MPRA already provides to Op Atalanta, with imagery intelligence, radar surface searches and surveillance.
The P-3C, using its inherent flexibility, speed, reach and response time, is used to assist vessels under pirate attack, working either alone or in coordination with other assets such as EU NAVFOR helicopters and warships.
Spain and Germany have both deployed MPRAs to the area since the very start of Operation Atalanta in 2008. The expertise gained by their respective crews has been a key factor contributing to the success of the EU NAVFOR operation.
The aircraft, its crew and supporting staff deployed to the Horn of Africa area of operations on the 12th of September 2018 to work alongside the Spanish MPRA detachment also based in Djibouti. The German aircraft will enhance the support that the Spanish MPRA already provides to Op Atalanta, with imagery intelligence, radar surface searches and surveillance.
The P-3C, using its inherent flexibility, speed, reach and response time, is used to assist vessels under pirate attack, working either alone or in coordination with other assets such as EU NAVFOR helicopters and warships.
Spain and Germany have both deployed MPRAs to the area since the very start of Operation Atalanta in 2008. The expertise gained by their respective crews has been a key factor contributing to the success of the EU NAVFOR operation.