Two Japanese P-3C patrol planes to join hunt for pirates

The government plans to give the order later this week to add two P-3C patrol aircraft to the antipiracy mission off Somalia, government sources said Sunday.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada is expected to issue the order Friday after the plan is approved by the top security panel and the Cabinet.

It will be the first time for P-3C planes to be dispatched on an overseas mission.

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