I say BS. The merchant companies should be paying for their OWN protection (i.e., Blackwater).
What is a navy for if not for defending a countries interests at sea and protecting the trade lanes?
Hammer,
If this was classic piracy (a la what happens in Indonesia) then I would agree with you. It is a private matter and should be dealt with privately.
However, the Somalia “pirates” are FULLY funded and backed by the Somalia Islamists that rule parts of that country. It is LESS piracy and far MORE terrorism.
Once it becomes terrorism then it is OUR duty to fight it.
Just my two cents!
Merchant companies would pay only if consumers would pay......
It would be an additional cost that would trickle down to the consumers. Its time the navy makes itself useful with all the tax money already paid.