EU Maritime Security Mission Enhances Red Sea Protection
The European Council has announced the extension of the EU maritime security mission known as “ASPIDES” for an additional year, ensuring the protection of the Red Sea until February 28, 2026. This extension comes with a budget of 17 million euros, equivalent to approximately 17.8 million dollars. The mission aims to bolster security along crucial maritime routes, enhancing the safety of vessels operating in these waters.
ASPIDES will focus on gathering intelligence regarding arms trafficking and illicit maritime activities, which will enhance situational awareness and provide better protection for vessels. The collected data will be shared with EU member states, the European Commission, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Interpol, creating a comprehensive network for maritime security.
A Mission with Strategic Importance
Initiated in 2024, Operation ASPIDES is designed to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf. This mission plays a pivotal role in protecting merchant vessels from potential attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces, who have threatened to target ships from Israel, Britain, and the United States amid ongoing tensions related to the Gaza conflict.
Based in Larissa, Greece, the operation is supported by a multinational coalition of maritime forces from various EU nations, all actively deployed in the Red Sea and the Gulf. Notably, last April, an Italian navy frigate involved in the ASPIDES mission successfully intercepted a drone in the Red Sea that posed a threat to an escorted merchant vessel. Additionally, the Royal Netherlands Navy dispatched the HNLMS Karel Doorman to aid the mission, delivering essential military supplies, including tank ammunition and medical assistance.
