Page 42 - ID - Informazioni della Difesa n. 05-2024 - Supplemento
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JUNE 2024
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                             EUNAVFOR OPERATION
                                        ASPIDES





          The European Union´s Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) OPERATION ASPIDES is an EU defensive maritime security
          operation under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

            Since late 2023, as a result of Houthi attacks on maritime shipping, maritime security in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and
            the Gulf has significantly degraded. The deterioration of the maritime security in the Red Sea has disrupted a key geopolitical
            area for international shipping. This affects negatively the EU as well as the wider international community.
          Operation ASPIDES will contribute to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation, for the sake of the EU, the region, and the
          wider international community.
          MANDATE AND OBJECTIVE
          The EUNAVFOR OPERATION ASPIDES mandate is to:
               Protect vessels against ongoing attacks
               Accompany vessels

               Reinforce maritime situational awareness – such as monitoring, assessing possible threats and sharing information – in
               coordination with partners.
          EUNAVFOR OPERATION ASPIDES, within its purely defensive mandate, will protect shipping targeted by attacks at sea or air. It will
          not conduct strikes on land.
          ASPIDES will act in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2722, which demands the cessation of Houthis’ attacks on merchant
          and commercial vessels, and recognises the right to defend vessels against such attacks, in line with international law.
          Building upon the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, ASPIDES consolidates the EU’s capacity to respond rapidly to a
          global crisis, in cooperation with like-minded international partners, while reinforcing the strategic autonomy of the EU.

          FACTS AND FIGURES
                HEADQUARTERS        OPERATION COMMANDER       FORCE COMMANDER
                Larissa, Greece     Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis  Commodore George Pastoor
                DURATION OF         OPERATION LAUNCHED        OPERATION AREA
                MANDATE             19 February 2024          From the Red Sea to the
                1 year                                        Gulf and a large part of the
                                                              North-West Indian Ocean
                BUDGET              STAFF                     ASSETS
                €8 million          in Europe:                •  3 frigates
                                    Operation Headquarters    •  1 multi function
                                    located in Larissa (Greece)   support ship
                                    in the region:
                                    Force Headquarters embarked
                                    on a Frigate







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