EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

The German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development has visited Operation Atalanta’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Detachment in Djibouti.

Federal Minister Dr Gerd Müller was on a six-day trip to Africa which concluded with this visit to the MPRA. He was welcomed to the airbase by the Commanding Officer of the German Detachment, Commander Kai Hansen. Minister Müller’s remit covers refugees and development and he took the opportunity to talk with the airmen and women on the MPRA Detachment, focusing on piracy in the area and the protection of World Food Programme Ships.

 MPRA provides Operation Atalanta with aerial imagery and gives the Force Commander a vital different perspective, allowing him to make decisions based on real-time information to maintain maritime security in the region and protect seafarers.