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...Specifically on tankers and container-ships in the Gulf of Aden/Red Sea and Malacca Straits/South China Sea areas, as on-board piracy interceptors.

Squadrons of Sea Kings or ex-RAF Harriers, with landing-pads/short 'ski-jump' ramps. One or two aircraft land on each tanker ready-armed. The tankers have containerised refuelling and accommodation facilities and a small Marine detachment landed as groundcrew. A spare munitions-load landed by helicopter.

Acting either as CAP or as quick-reaction, the Marines and heli or Harrier air-support watch for approachers and warn them off. Any BSF pressing his luck gets gutted.

On leaving the Danger Zones, the Marines (less two liaison) and heliborne kit land on a ship returning through the Danger Zones. Costs borne by insurers or oil and containber-ship companies who then don't have the piracy risk to trouble them.

Something the Saudis and Malays could set up, perhaps?
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