Deterrence and protection are 24/7 tasks that EU NAVFOR conduct that need constant information. A pivotal asset within Operation Atalanta is the Spanish Airforce P3-C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).

Aerial maritime patrols have proven to be an effective method of deterring piracy since December 2008. The pirates know that aircraft act as the ‘eyes in the sky’ and can direct counter-piracy warships towards a pirate action group. The P3-C provides long range patrolling capabilities, which enhances EU NAVFOR’s counter-piracy capabilities in the Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean, protecting seafarers and vulnerable shipping.

The main tasks of the MPRA are to perform surface search and scan to locate designated or suspected vessels, mother ships and skiffs. Using the P3-C inherent flexibility, speed, reach, and response time, it is also used to assist vessels under pirate attack, alone or in coordination with other assets, such as EU NAVFOR helicopters and warships. As well as providing the support to Operation Atalanta; the Spanish detachment has a 24-hour communications centre and provides a focal point for Search and Rescue operations.

MPRAs provide EU NAVFOR and partners with essential information to assess the situation off the Horn of Africa. They have been a key element in the fight against piracy in the waters of the Indian Ocean, collaborating with the Naval Units of EU NAVFOR Somalia and other Djibouti based MPRAs operating with Combined Task Force 151 to assist the ships that pass through the area.