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

US coalition deploys drones to protect merchant shipping in the Middle East
Sam Chambers March 23, 2023 https://splash247.com/us-coalition-deploys-drones-to-protect-merchant-sh...

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.