The Finnish Navy will not send any of its ships to participate in action against Somali pirates in waters off the Horn of Africa until 2011 because of financial commitments.

The announcement was made by Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy during a discussion about Finland’s participation in international crisis management.

The meeting concluded that the EU naval operation off the Somali coast has proved successful and that the mandate of the operation should be continued, however, due to military spending limits a ship cannot be sent until at least 2011.

For Piracy missions, the Finnish Navy would most likely send the minelayer Pohjanmaa or one of its Hämeenmaa-class minelayers/escort ships in a command or escort role.