[jambutty]

Originally Posted by Cyfr

I VERY much doubt the rules of engagement would normally be to defend yourself in this situation. Firing warning shots is doing everything possible to escalate the situation, which is not what is required.

The commander deserves praise for his restraint as this could have turned out to be a much greater crisis than it already is.

There speaks the voice of a veteran sailor whose knowledge of naval warfare could be written on a pinhead using a thick, felt tipped pen. Have you ever seen a British warship live? When did you serve on such a vessel?

The rules of engagement for the British armed forces are the same today as they have been for hundreds of years. If threatened or attacked defend yourself unless facing overwhelming forces where to fight would lead to unnecessary loss of life. This option was last selected in the Falklands when the outpost of marines were outnumbered and outgunned so they, quite rightly surrendered but only after the Governor told them to.

A handful of gunboats armed with large calibre machine guns is hardly an overwhelming force of a modern British frigate.