In the shimmering late-morning heat, a German F126 frigate prowls the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on the hunt for pirates as part of the European Union’s Operation Atalanta. The vigilant crew of the biggest surface warship to join the German Navy since World War 2 carefully scans the horizon for any signs of trouble, all too aware that this turbulent stretch of sea is crawling with modern-day buccaneers.

As the sun climbs higher, the ship’s lookout suddenly spots a suspicious skiff darting between merchant vessels, her occupants masked, armed, and clearly up to no good. This dangerous gang of seaborne delinquents must be stopped before an innocent ship falls victim to a violent hijacking.

Fortunately, the F126 is on the case. The roar of the 545-foot long frigate’s engines is soon joined by the whirring blades of a pair of NH90 Naval Frigate Helicopters, slicing through the salty air as they lift off from the deck, where an expert team hurriedly prepares the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, gearing up for a boarding operation.

Using her state-of-the-art Hensoldt TRS-4D NR multi-function surveillance radar, the F126 tracks the pirates’ every move, the helicopters hovering above like dragonflies while the inflatable boats race toward their target. Panic fills their eyes as they realize they have been detected, and the skiff’s crew attempts a desperate getaway, but the EU forces are rapidly closing in. As the chase intensifies, the two sides prepare for a fierce confrontation on the high seas.