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US coalition deploys drones to protect merchant shipping in the Middle East

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersMarch 23, 2023
843 Less than a minute
US Navy

Up to 100 drones are being deployed to patrol along 8,000 km of busy shipping lanes around the Arabian Peninsula, a stretch of water that has had severe security issues in recent years.

The US, via its Bahrian-based 5th Fleet, is leading the unmanned surface vessel project called Task Force 59 with partners UK, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Jordan. The platforms (such as the one pictured above) are equipped with sensors, radars and cameras with operators using artificial intelligence systems to process the data.

The US and its allies have singled out Iran and Yemen as the areas which pose the greatest threats to commercial shipping in the region with a number of ships attacked in recent years.

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Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersMarch 23, 2023
843 Less than a minute
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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