The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircraft (F-50 MPA) has been deployed for a period of three months to support the international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden.

The SAF has, for the first time, deployed an F-50 MPA to support international counterpiracy efforts.

The F-50 MPA will conduct maritime air surveillance as well as coordinated search operations to track and investigate suspicious vessels.

The 38-personnel detachment includes air, ground and communications support crew, as well as logistics personnel.

The RSAF has deployed two task groups consisting of a landing ship tank and two Super Puma helicopters to the Gulf of Aden since April 2009.