Special to WorldTribune.com

MOSCOW — Somali pirates are said to have enhanced their combat
skills in attacks in the Arabian and Red Seas.

A leading Russian commander said Somali pirates have been equipped with
modern weapons and communications to sustain operations amid the deployment
of an international task force based in the Gulf of Aden.

Russian Navy Rear Adm. Vasily Lyashok said the pirates have also become better organized and enhanced by a support network.

“They have satellite communications, shore bases, depots, arsenals,
training facilities for their pirates, and a single leader,” Lyashok said.

In a radio interview on Jan. 26, Lyashok said Somali pirates formed
five units that operate along the Somali coast of the Red Sea. He said the five units were equipped with a range of weapons and included trained attackers ordered to target the Gulf of Aden.

“They are flexible and can quickly adapt to new strategies,” Lyashok
said.

The remarks came as Western navies reported a 75 percent drop in Somali piracy over the last year. Western naval analysts said, however, that the
pirates were extending their range to the Oman Sea.

Russia has established a counter-piracy in the Arabian and Red Seas.
Lyashok said Russian Navy ships have become interoperable with NATO forces
through the installation of Mercury, an Internet-based secure communications
system. The naval officer also said Moscow and NATO were examining the
feasibility of using a common fuel for the coalition.

“Back in 2009, during a meeting with NATO in Bahrain, we signed an
agreement on fitting out our vessels with this apparatus,” Lyashok said.
“Our vessels will now be fitted with the latest Semarkom+ systems which also
provide Internet-based secure communications lines.”

  extend range, Gulf of Aden, Oman Sea, Rear Adm. Vasily Lyashok, Red Sea, Russian official says, Somali pirates upgrade operations with satellite communications