SA responds to piracy threat

The South African Navy is planning to send a force to patrol the Mozambican Channel to counter the threat of attack on ships by east African pirates.

The force is to comprise at least one of South Africa’s frigates, believed to be the SAS Mendi, and a logistical support ship, which could see the force patrolling the channel for more than a month at a time.

On board the frigate will be members of the navy’s elite Maritime Reaction Force as well as helicopter aircrews who will act as eyes and ears.

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