The ancient doctrine of Those Who Control The Ships Win Everything still applies.
So perhaps ex-RAF Harrier GR.x's could be put into RN markings and stationed aboard merchant ships traveling through Somalian waters. Fuel, Adens, and Brimstones.
Or take it even further: Asia heats up: China v. Japan, China v. Vietnam, N. Korea v. S. Korea yet use to their roles in current economies, trade continues. For merchant ship defense, Harrier II's are fitted with Blue Vixen radars, Meteors and IRIS-T's. RN markings of course.