[h1] Navy patrols may extend as Somali pirates widen attacks [/h1]

By Nick Childs
BBC defence and security correspondent


Somali pirates have attacked ships away from the African coast

The British admiral in charge of the EU flotilla carrying out anti-piracy patrols off Somalia is considering extending the area which they patrol.
Rear Adm Peter Hudson said this was because some attacks had been closer to India than the coast of Africa.
The EU Naval Force is one of the main international formations trying to counter piracy off Somalia.
These forces insist they have reduced the number of successful attacks, but they have not eliminated them.
And the pirates have adapted.
'Balance'
Rear Adm Hudson says he is in discussions with his political and military bosses to extend his patrol area because the pirates have been launching attacks at ever great range - up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast.
"I have to keep the balance between area, where my aircraft can go, what advice we give to ships, where the pirates operate," he said.
Rear Adm Peter Hudson says he needs to seek a balance

"It's a constant little equation that we're looking at.
"And because we've seen some of these attacks now right nearer to India than Africa, we just have to review where our operating area is and we'll make recommendations to Brussels and see what they think."
Rear Adm Hudson says support from EU countries has been good, including the provision of vital maritime patrol aircraft for surveillance.
But he has, on average, six to seven warships under his command, to cover a sea area already 10 times the size of Germany.