Frogmen and pirates: the utility of special operations forces for small states against for-profit, illicit networks

ABSTRACT

What role can special operations forces (SOF) play against for-profit, illicit networks in operations with strict rules of engagement? How can small states utilize their SOF units to add value to a military strategy in cases where they take an active role in multinational operations? Based on in-depth interviews with members of maritime SOF units, commanding officers, and archival research, this article unearths the roles that Danish and Dutch maritime SOF units played against Somali piracy networks. Specifically, it analyses how SOF units were able to evolve their tactics, which allowed the international naval task forces to target the piracy networks’ increasingly sophisticated operations. Moreover, the article discusses other potential ways SOF units can influence for-profit, illicit networks. The case study sheds light on an aspect of the utility of SOF often overlooked in the literature, namely the ability to use discriminate and proportional violence in operations that straddle the categories of peace and war. This almost mundane use of SOF units is of special interest in relation to small states, who may take on leadership roles if they are willing to engage in the development of the operational concepts.

KEYWORDS:

• Special operations forces
• small states
• counter-piracy
• criminal networks

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank the Danish Naval Command for granting archival access, and thank the informants who generously shared their knowledge and commented on the article. Andreas Westberg shared his database on pirate incidents that informed much of the article. However, the article does not reflect the view of the informants or the Danish Defence. Ian Bowers, Ian Rice, Peter Viggo Jakobsen, and two anonymous reviewers all offered valuable comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

List of interviews

Interview 1: Carsten Fjord-Larsen, Commanding Officer the Esbern Snare, July-October 2010, Commanding Officer the Absalon, October 2011-January 2012, IVER HUITFELD, January-May 2013, Copenhagen, 2 December 2019

Interview 2: Aage Buur Jensen, Commodore Combined Maritime Force 151, 2012 and December 2013-February 2014 and Commodore Task Force 508 Ocean Shield, 2014, Værløse, 7 November 2019.

Interview 3: Intelligence officer, Defence Command Denmark, Copenhagen, 18 November 2019.

Interview 4: Christian Rune, Commodore for Task force 508 Ocean Shield 2010, Copenhagen, 8 November 2019.

Interview 5: Member of the Frogman Corps, leader Speciel Maritim Indsatsenhed 2008–2012, Kongsøre, 28 November 2019.

Interview 6: Member of the Frogman Corps, leader Speciel Maritim Indsatsenhed 2008–2012, Kongsøre, 11 September 2019.

Interview 7: Anders Friis, Commanding Officer the Esbern Snare, March-June 2011 and Commanding Officer the Absalon, January-May 2012, Copenhagen, 14 November 2019.

Interview 8: Member of the Frogman Corps, patrol leader 2008–2010, Kongsøre, 28 November 2019.

A number of background interviews informed the article, but are not cited in the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Troels Burchall Henningsen

Troels Burchall Henningsen is an Assistant Professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, where he teaches military strategy, special operations, and civil wars. His research is on Western military interventions with a special emphasis on the Sahel region, the strategic utility of Special Operations Forces, and military assistance. He is also political advisor to the combined-special operations component command established by Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands.