Who Private ships allowed by country to attack its enemies?

Private ships authorized by a country to attack its enemies are known as privateers. These vessels operate under a letter of marque, which grants them legal permission to capture enemy ships and goods during wartime. Historically, many countries, including England, France, and the United States, issued letters of marque to privateers to bolster their naval power without the expense of maintaining a large navy. However, the practice has largely fallen out of use with the advent of modern international law and treaties prohibiting privateering.