implementation is poor in this area. While one fifth of respondents do think a good job is being done, it’s clear that this is not enough.
24% -Poor
54% - OK
21% - Good
1% - Excellent
Threats to maritime safety
What is the key threat to maritime safety globally?
The piracy threat is the most significant threat facing global navies, border security patrols and commercial sea traffic according to 71% of respondents.
Not one Navy, Coast Guard or Air Force in Asia is content with their maritime security and anti-piracy capabilities. Each one is considering bolstering their fleets by acquiring new platforms and equipment to counter the rising threat of piracy and other illicit activities in Asian waters.
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) – a body established to promote and enhance government-to-government cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia – released a report detailing 73 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in Asian waters during the first half of 2014. The majority (55) of these incidents were classified as armed robbery against ships while the rest (18) were incidents of piracy. It has led Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) to circulate a warning to its partners in the region to remain vigilant about the rising maritime security threats in the region, and particularly in Southeast Asia.
Unlike piracy off the Somali coast and in the Gulf of Guinea – where hostages are held for ransom – pirates in Asia typically steal cargo and often target oil tankers. The International Maritime Bureau’s (IBM) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) noted in its July report that small tanker hijackings in Southeast Asia where petroleum and diesel were targeted by pirates was on the increase.
The PRC in fact said the data was “sparking fears of a new trend in pirate attacks in the area.”
Pottengal Mukundan, IMB Director, said that the “recent increase in the number of successful hijackings is a cause for concern.” He called them “serious attacks” but said they have so far only targeted small coastal tankers.
“We advise these vessels to maintain strict anti-piracy measures in these waters, and to report all attacks and suspicious approaches by small craft,” said Mukundan.
In June the Malaysian Navy fought off a piracy attempt on a tanker in the South China Sea with support from the Indonesian and Singaporean navies.
“The Malaysian Navy quickly dispatched a patrol boat and managed to intercept the tanker. Pirates managed to escape before the arrival of the naval boat,” the International Maritime Bureau said in a report.
Following the close collaboration between Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean forces during this counter-piracy operation, it’s clear this model needs to be expanded on a wider basis. A similar level of transnational, inter-agency and government-to-government cooperation is now needed to understand and mitigate the growing threat of piracy in Asia. Earlier this year the United Nations identified Southeast Asia as the world’s new hub for piracy after international efforts off the coast of Somalia have resulted in a dramatic decline in incidents. As seen with the recent success in Africa, Asian navies, coast guards and other maritime agencies must take advantage of all opportunities that allow for greater collaboration and understanding on common threats.
Navies and coastguards all over Asia are now looking to bolster their defence capabilities as a result of many factors, only one of which is piracy.
APAC acquisition plans in the maritime domain
In 2014, the Singapore Armed Forces will focus on RPV procurement and four E-2C Hawkeyes are currently transitioning to G550 CAEWs. Over the next decade the SAF will purchase tactical UAVs, A330 Multi Role tanker transport aircrafts, littoral mission vessels and Type 2158G submarines. In addition, the Singapore Navy is procuring UAVs to support maritime operations and the Singapore Air Force recently confirmed the fleet expansion to at least 32 F-15SGs.
The Indonesian Navy has confirmed that its Klewang-class stealth patrol ship programme has resumed after being suspended following a fire during sea trials in 2012. Problems with the hull are believed to have been addressed and Indonesia is now looking at a fleet of at least four of the Klewang-class stealth patrol ships. Armed with a Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun and Saab’s electronic support measure (ESM) system, the new vessels are designed for counter-piracy operations and other maritime threats.
Following the disappearance of flight MH370, the Royal Malaysian Navy is prioritising procurement for land and aerial assets and phase 2 of Malaysia’s $2.8 billion second generation patrol vessels project (SGVP) is currently underway. Work has also begun on the littoral combat vessels (LCS) programme. The plan to acquire 6-12 maritime patrol aircraft is at a cost of up to $300 million is in the pipeline while the RMN is also setting aside up to $750 million for new early warning aircraft with powerful radar.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is buying mid-range radars in 2014 and looking at various air assets and platforms including fixed-wing and rotary wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Further afield, in an interview with Defence IQ last year, Rear Admiral Cecil R Chen, Vice Commandant for Administration of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), said that “improving maritime patrol capability is a priority for the PCG agenda because it tends to have strategic contribution to the current economic and security priority initiatives of the Government and marine resource management to all three operations.” As a result, the PCG is actively acquiring Multi Role Response Vessels, fast patrol boats, an offshore patrol vessel as well as platforms for use during disaster relief and emergency response operations such as rubber boats, rigid hulled inflatable boats and aluminium-hulled rescue boats.
Signalling further tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan’s Ministry of Defence has requested a 2.4% increase in its annual budget. The 2015 budget will total ¥4.9 trillion ($47.25 billion) following the approval of Japan’s new national security strategy, which above all calls for better air and maritime surveillance.
In a budget request document, Japan’s MoD stated that the regional security environment has recently become more tense, citing China’s increasing activities in Japan’s vicinity as well as North Korea’s missile launches.
With Japan’s decision to bolster its defence forces, many Western defence and private maritime security companies (PMSCs) are seeing revived fortunes in the Far East and its nascent market for anti-piracy solutions. In August, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin held a joint press conference in Tokyo to champion the RQ-4 Global Hawk and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye surveillance planes as potential additions to the Japanese Air Self Defence Force.
Japan has stated that its main priority is to increase its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities following threats against its sovereign territory from China and North Korea. “China’s lack of transparency in its broad and rapid military modernisation as well as rapid expansion and intensification of maritime activities,” as it is put in the budget request document.
Japan is seeking to acquire four P-1 fixed-wing patrol aircraft at a cost of ¥ 77.3 billion ($12.6 billion) to improve its detection/discrimination capabilities, information processing capabilities, and attack capabilities compared to its existing P-3C fixed-wing patrol aircraft.
The MoD said it was also considering introducing HALE-UAVs that would contribute to strengthening its wide-area persistent ISR capability.
Contributor: Andrew Elwell
Posted: 08/29/2014 12:00:00 AM EDT in defence IQ
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