Japan will deploy its P3C maritime reconnaissance aircraft used for surveillance activities to Bahrain in a move to countering piracy in the Arabian Gulf.

It came as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet Vice-Admiral John Miller, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"It was discussed during the meeting to expand the level of surveillance to counter piracy in the Arabian Gulf and a request was made to send the P3C aircraft," said Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry Press secretary Kuni Sato during a Press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.

The P3C aircraft are currently based at Japan's overseas base in Djibouti which are being used by its Maritime Self-Defence Force for its anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. Abe is also expected to visit Djibouti as part of his visit to the region. – TradeArabia News Service