Excited to welcome the Belgian Navy ship, Karel Doorman-class frigate LOUISE-MARIE, the newest member of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
Her skills and expertise will be invaluable as we will tackle operational challenges together!
#freedomofnavigation #redseacrisis #maritimesecurity

On board the new ASPIDES flagship ITS FASAN, RDML Stefano Costantino, met the 🇩🇪 Ambassador H.E. Heike Fuller and the 🇸🇪 Ambassador H.E. Hans Henric Lundquist.
Ambassadors received a feedback about ASPIDES,while FHQ staff members, had the opportunity to meet with their diplomats.

🇫🇷 destroyer ensured safe transit to vessels that crossed Bab al Mandab strait,a high-threat area,to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation along sea lines of communication.
ASPIDES has a defensive mandate, the protection of shipping by attacks at sea or from the air.

On 29 April, ITS FASAN, while providing close protection to a MV under Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea, successfully repelled multiple attacks coming from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. During this protection operation, ITS FASAN shot down one UAV with its 3” gun.

Today, we bid farewell to ITS DUILIO and welcome the ITS VIRGINIO FASAN as the new EUNAVFOR ASPIDES flagship.
ITS DUILIO has been a significant asset of Operation Aspides during the past months, contributing to a secure maritime environment in the Red Sea.
Marina Militare EU Defence

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES COS, Cpt (EL N) Symeon Tsagkadas, participated in the Hellenic Mediterranean Panel Meeting in Athens on 24-04-24 held by INTERNTANKO, presenting the Operation's nature & how it safeguards merchant vessels to uphold Freedom of Navigation.

RAdm Vasileios Gryparis, in the framework of partnership with regional authorities, met RAdm Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman.
Both shared perspectives and deliberated on a range of mutual concerns, with a focus on benefits of freedom of navigation.

On 25 Apr 24, 🇬🇷Frigate “HYDRA”, providing protection to a MV in the GoA, engaged 2 UAVs posing an imminent threat to the freedom of navigation. 1st UAV was shot down, while 2nd changed its course. The action was effective in avoiding any damage to seafarers & merchant shipping.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES assets continuously provide maritime security under the EU Common Security and Defense Policy , protecting the merchant vessels, securing the international trade. 100% of protection requests met, 85 merchant vessels already protected, 100% shipping protection.

FSG HESSEN, ASPIDES ship, is providing close protection to companies GRIMALDI LINES and LINEA MESSINA, a convoy of merchant vessels of EU interest transiting Red Sea.
Entry point for maritime shipping remains the https://on-shore.mschoa.orgfor registration & protection request.

During the first port visit in Salalah the Force Commander of ASPIDES Stefano Costantino met the Italian Ambassador in Oman H.E. Pieluigi D’Elia.
FCdr provided to the Italian Ambassador an overview of the current maritime security situation in the area of operations.

ASPIDES continuously provide maritime security in the Red Sea area. 19 contributing Nations, 4 Naval Units, 800 🕴️ at sea. 100% of protection requests met, 79 merchant🚢 already protected, 9 UAV and 1 USV destroyed, 4 ballistic 🚀intercepted, 100% shipping protection.
EU Defence

A merchant vessel was safely escorted, under the coordinated actions of ITS MARTINENGO (ATALANTA) and ITS DUILIO (ASPIDES). Different mandates, but close cooperation with all actors in the area, to ensure maritime situational awareness in a highly challenging environment.

On 10 April, 🇳🇱 MoD Kajsa Ollongren and 🇬🇷 MoD Nikos Dendias, visited Operation Headquarters of ASPIDES in Larissa. During joint statements, MoDs focused on the close cooperation between the two countries and the importance of ASPIDES to uphold the freedom of navigation.

While the 🇮🇹 destroyer continues the close protection of merchant shipping transiting the area of operations, the 🇩🇪 helicopter SIGGI lands on its deck to resupply.

Entry point for maritime shipping remains the on-shore.mschoa.org for registration & protection request.

On 08 April, EU HR/VP Josep Borrell Fontelles and ASPIDES OpCdr RADM Vasileios Gryparis attended a press conference to provide an update about activities to restore maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Full video link: audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-253…

🇫🇷 Ambassador in Djibouti, H.E. Dana PURCARESCU visited ASPIDES flagship and met RADM Stefano COSTANTINO. An opportunity to share the aim of our defensive maritime operation and how ASPIDES protect merchant vessels along sea lines of communication.

France à Djibouti Marina Militare

On 06 April (1430-1530 UTC), 🇩🇪 frigate HESSEN, while providing close protection to merchant shipping in Red Sea, successfully repelled a 🚀 attack coming from Houthis controlled areas in Yemen, engaging with organic weapons and avoiding damages to vessel.
@BundeswehrImEinsatz

Res.Coordinator Josè Barahona and a delegation of WFP, WHO, FAO, UNHCR met FCDR onboard 🇮🇹 CAIO DUILIO: an opportunity to share the spirit of ASPIDES and increase the awareness of the dynamics that affect the region and the impact of the Red Sea crisis.
European External Action Service - EEAS 🇪🇺 Marina Militare United Nations

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES assets work 24/7 to provide maritime security in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf under the EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP).
Bundeswehr Deutsche Marine Marina Militare Marine nationale FFEAU.ALINDIEN Armée française - Opérations militaires ΓΕΕΘΑ-HNDGS Πολεμικό Ναυτικό