On 15 March 2012 counter-piracy forces from the European Union will gain another valuable asset with the addition of a Falcon 50 maritime surveillance aircraft from the French Navy.
Based from Djibouti, the aircraft has the range to cover the Gulf of Aden and waters off the horn of Africa. Its speed and range are instrumental in guiding surface units to apprehend suspect vessels and can provide advance warning to escorted convoys of aid to Somalia, allowing them to navigate around any threat without need for confrontation.