The Danish defence ministry will deploy a Bombardier Challenger aircraft from January 2012 to patrol the Horn of Africa and deal with Somali ship pirates.

The Challenger aircraft will be deployed for an initial two months.

Starting from November, Denmark will also deploy the support and command ship Absalon on the Somali coast for six months, which will join Nato’s Operation Ocean Shield to deal with ship piracy.

According to reports, many other nations have also deployed aircraft to patrol pirates off the African coast.

Currently around 17 ships are being held hostage by Somali pirates.

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