[160211.EN.SEA] Arm Ships Against Pirates, But Only With Professionals: Expert

A BRITISH security contractor, who wrote "SAS Handbook" has co-authored a report for GAC Protective Solutions, on how to fight Somali pirates, which concludes that the best way is to rely on firms like his own Hereford-based security company, AKE Ltd.

"There needs to be a clear understanding of what constitutes appropriate weaponry that will provide deterrence, and where deterrence fails be capable of neutralising a determined attack," said AKE chief executive Andrew Kain, a former member of the Britain's Special Air Service Regiment.

Mr Kain, whose firm's headquarters is near the main SAS barracks in Hereford, England, near the Welch border, says not to be too impressed with the Somali pirates main armament, the AK-47 and the RPG, but at the same time warns against a do-it-yourself approach in fighting pirates.

"The chances of anyone firing from a moving skiff and hitting what they are aiming for, is very low. A hit with even an RPG7, to do any serious damage, would have to be luckiest shot in the world, and would certainly not be the result of deliberate aimed shot at a specific point on the vessel," he said.

"The RPG7 is a rocket propelled grenade, with very limited capability and effect. The AK47 is a superb close quarter battle weapon, ideal for insurgents, pirates and many others, because of its simplicity and functionality. However, it is a very inaccurate weapon, with little penetration capability," he said.

"Where weapons are deployed, it is absolutely critical that those employed to operate them have the appropriate skills and experience and are also current in weapon use. This requires a category of weapons that can be described as 'specialist'. Pistols, shotguns and single shot rifles are not capable of providing a deterrent. Neither are they capable of effectively stopping a determined armed attack," he said.

Mr Kain also said it was important that the weapons look impressive and be highly visible to pirates, but warned that such choices belonged to experts.

"We can testify to the difficulties experienced by most professional soldiers in achieving hits over 100, 200 and 300 metres, when firing from a stable ground platform against a stationary target. The difficulty increases when there is movement at both ends at which accuracy is replaced by luck," said Mr Kain.

"To achieve and maintain control, the industry needs to institutionalise a better understanding of the actual risks confronting it. It must also have the means to communicate this knowledge to individual ship's masters, officers and crews, so that all can, and do, understand the actual risks and how to mitigate them," Mr Kain said.

Source : HKSG, 14.02.11.