Counter-piracy operation Haka kicks off in Gulf of Aden

A counter-piracy operation conducted by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is currently underway in the Gulf of Aden and the Socotra gap.

Operation Haka – as the undertaking is named – started on November 16 and will conclude on November 23.

It will be conducted as part of the Kuwait-led CTF 151’s mission to counter piracy, and contribute to wider maritime security in the region.

The aims of Haka are to deter and disrupt piracy, enhance information exchange between counter piracy stakeholders, and engage with regional partners and local mariners.

The continued successful suppression of piracy depends on a number of stakeholders, including the merchant shipping community itself, being able to work together as part of the overall counter piracy system. Some of the activities that will occur during Haka include; counter piracy patrols, Maritime Awareness Calls (MAC), exercising of response options, engagement with local mariners and collection of pattern of life (POL) information.

“Operation Haka seeks to strengthen interoperability among counter-piracy stakeholders and further promote maritime security in the region,” Royal New Zealand Navy Captain Richard Walker, deputy commander of CTF151, said. “It’s all about building partnerships and working together to increase maritime security and suppress piracy.”