Latest News

Beginning in the early hours of 5 February 2016, and in the waters beyond Seychelles’ main harbour, Operation Atalanta’s Italian flagship, ITS Carabiniere, conducted a joint exercise with French frigate FS Floreal.

In the early hours of 8 February 2016, Spanish warship, ESPS Tornado, drew up alongside US supply ship, USNS Joshua Humphreys, at sea to replenish fuel and essential supplies.

On Friday 5th February, Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) P-3 Orion completed its first counter-piracy reconnaissance mission with Operation Atalanta after launching from its base in Djibouti.

On 6th February 2016, Spanish frigate, ESPS Victoria, completed her deployment with EU Naval Force after four months of counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.

Spanish warship, ESPS Victoria, conducted a series of exercises with Japanese warship, JDS Suzunami, to strengthen counter-piracy cooperation between the two forces.

Earlier today the Operation Commander, Major General Martin Smith MBE, welcomed the UK Secretary of State for Defence, The Right Honourable Michael Fallon MP, to EU NAVFOR’s Operational Headquarters in London.

In order to maintain their high state of readiness, the Italian Navy divers from the Gruppo Operativo Subacqueo (GOS) who are currently embarked in Operation Atalanta’s flagship, ITS Carabiniere, carry out regular diving training.

On Saturday 23 January the Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Detachment held a medal ceremony in their headquarters in Djibouti.

Friday 22 January marked the end of the current deployment with Operation Atalanta for the Spanish D-4 Vigma Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).  The aircraft has been replaced by a Spanish Air Force P-3.

On Sunday 10 January 2016, Operation Atalanta warship ESPS Victoria and a Spanish maritime-patrol aircraft met off the Somali coast to complete a cargo air-drop.

Rear Admiral Christophe Mueller-Meinhard (German Navy) has handed over the role of Deputy Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, to Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrӧm (Swedish Royal Navy).

During the recent port visit to Djibouti, Operation Atalanta warships ITS Carabiniere and FGS Erfurt carried out maritime training alongside their colleagues from the Djiboutian Navy.