Military Looking to Expand Operational Area of Anti-Piracy Cheonghae Unit near Strait of Hormuz
[Politics] : The South Korean military is reportedly looking to expand the operational area of the anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit deployed to the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to include the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. According to sources in the military on Thursday, the operational expansion is being considered by ... [more...]
Seoul is contemplating extending the reach of its anti-piracy unit, Cheonghae, from the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz, as it prepares to request parliamentary approval for the unit’s deployment extension. Local media outlets report that the government is also evaluating an option to incorporate a maritime patrol aircraft into the unit, though no final decisions have been made on these proposals.
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul informed lawmakers on Thursday that the ministry is examining different options regarding the unit’s mission and the potential extension of its deployment. Currently, the parliamentary authorization for the Cheonghae Unit's mission expires on December 31. The Cheonghae Unit, stationed off Somalia since 2009, is responsible for escorting commercial vessels and safeguarding shipping routes.
Its current deployment includes a 4,400-ton destroyer, a helicopter, up to three rigid-hull inflatable boats, and a maximum of 320 personnel. One of the options being considered involves deploying a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to enhance surveillance capabilities. This review follows a request from Washington for military contributions from allies to aid in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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