The frigate HMAS Warramunga, presently patrolling in the Persian Gulf, will be attached periodically to a new combined taskforce established to combat pirate activity in shipping lanes off Somalia.

An Australian airforce AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, based in an unnamed Persian Gulf country, will also join the taskforce.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia was "stepping up to the plate" to help foil the hijacking of ships for ransom.

"We believe it's part of Australia putting its shoulder to the wheel, together with our friends, our partners, our allies to make a material difference to security in the region," he said.

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said the decision would enable Australia to provide a robust and effective contribution to anti-piracy efforts.

"Piracy is a threat to global maritime security, including to Australia's merchant trade and to Australian tourists passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal," he said in a statement.

Warships operating under US, European Union and NATO commands, as well as independent vessels from nations including China and Russia, are currently operating in the troubled region to thwart hijackings.

Richard Farrington, chief of staff of the EU Naval Force, has said there are currently 25 warships patrolling the region, but there would need to be 60 in the Gulf of Aden and 150 off Somalia to effectively tackle the problem.

Calls for more concerted action have risen as attacks off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden have escalated -- piracy watchdogs say there have been 114 attempted hijackings so far this year, compared with 111 over the whole of 2008.

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