- The new Force rotation is commanded by an Italian Admiral, Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi, and the Italian ship, ITS Bianchi is the new flagship of the Operation.
- Portugal was leading the Force Command in the previous rotation on board Spanish ship ESPS Victoria as flagship of the Operation.
On 20 February 2026, Italian Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi assumed command of the 52nd rotation as Force Commander of the European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA. He takes command of Task Force 465 from Portuguese Commodore João Silva who was in command since 12 October 2025. The ceremony, which took place on the Spanish ship Victoria in the Port of Djibouti, was chaired by the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni.
Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni conveyed his highest appreciation for his professionalism to the outgoing Force Commander, and the crew of ESPS VICTORIA. The 51st Rotation was involved in different maritime security events including the liberation of the Maltese Merchant Tanker HELLAS APHRODITE and the Iranian-flagged dhow used as a mother ship.
This rotation completed a successful deployment providing security to various World Food Programme vessels and conducted regional capacity enhancement exercises in Djibouti (DORALEH II) and in Kenya (USALAMA BAHIRINI II) strengthening the relationship with partners in the area.
“I assume command fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. The maritime environment is complex and constantly evolving. Resurgence of piracy in these last months demands a continued attention and resolute approach” said Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi after taking command as Force Commander. He will lead the 52nd rotation of Operation ATALANTA forces with the Italian warship, ITS BIANCHI as Operation ATALANTA’s flagship. The other surface asset for this rotation is the Spanish frigate, ESPS CANARIAS.
The ceremony was attended by several international and local civilian and military authorities including several European Union Ambassadors and commanders of different forces in the area.
The Force Headquarters, under the command of the Operation Headquarters in Rota (Spain), is an embarked headquarters forward deployed to ATALANTA Area of Operation, responsible for the Tactical Command of all EUNAVFOR multinational assets in the area. Its main responsibility is conducting operations at the operational and tactical level, under the ATALANTA Operation mandate and the Operation Headquarters’ guidance.
