Dear reader,
During February, ATALANTA was able to emphasise our role as a crucial provider of maritime security, particularly through a number of strategic engagements with some of our most important partners in the region, including the Indian Navy and the Combined Maritime Force.
My visit to India to attend the International Fleet Review and the MILAN Exercise led by the Indian Navy provided an excellent opportunity to reinforce our commitments to maritime security and strengthen further the synergies already established between our forces operating in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the presence of ATALANTA Deputy Operation Commander in Bahrain to attend the handover of command of Combined Maritime Forces ’Task Force 154, allowed us to consolidate our ties and mutual support.
Also in this month, EUNAVFOR IRINI invited for the first conference of all three EU Maritime Operations Commanders. It proved to be a suitable forum for exchanging views on the various challenges the three Operations are facing, and for identifying synergies to address them. The ability to share information, to deploy our limited resources effectively, and to align our efforts is the basis for success on our common goals - maintaining secure maritime lines of communication in our areas of responsibility.
At the operational level, the availability of two surface units for the Operation, allows us to increase the capability for action. Both, the new flagship ITS BIANCHI and the frigate ESPS CANARIAS, will be of great significance in addressing the challenges that ATALANTA will face in the coming months.
Providing reassurance to merchant vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden also strengthens our trust-based partnership with the shipping industry. Our firm commitment is to ensure that ATALANTA is effective as required. We will continue working to uphold the Maritime Security Centre - Indian Ocean (MSCIO) key role in the maritime security architecture.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Commodore João Silva for his commendable work as Force Commander. His leadership has been key in the multiple events and incidents that have occurred during his command, especially the piracy incident involving the HELLAS APHRODITE. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi, whose experience and leadership will be essential to the success of this demanding position.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
At the invitation of the Indian Navy ATALANTA Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano attended the International Fleet Review 2026. The event was held in Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February, featuring 85 ships from 74 countries, and showcasing India’s maritime strength and global naval cooperation.
During his visit, Operation Commander had the opportunity to meet Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Indian Naval Staff. ATALANTA and the Indian Navy keep reinforcing their ties in the area. Cooperation in the Indian Ocean is key to ensure maritime security.
On 11 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, attended the Combined Task Force 154 change of command ceremony held in Manama, Bahrein. In the event, India officially took command of the Task Force from Italy.
Task Force 154 focuses on maritime capacity-building activities with regional nations in the Western Indian Ocean. In the framework of ATALANTA’s and Combined Maritime Forces’ partnership, means and personnel from ATALANTA regularly participates in joint exercises, mainly focused on counter piracy and local maritime capacity building.
On 18 February 2026, Deputy Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, along with the ATALANTA Force Commander Commodore Joao Silva, visited the ATALANTA ORION Detachment in Djibouti. They were received by Detachment’s Commanding Officer, Major (Spanish Air Force) Alberto Romeralo. During the tour, they met the personnel of the 57th contingent and visited the facilities.
Rear Admiral Fantoni highlighted the importance of the ORION Detachment for ATALANTA, especially related to threats such as piracy, and illegal fishing off the coast of Somalia.
On 25 and 26 February, ATALANTA’s Operation Commander participated in the 1st EU Maritime Operations Commanders’ Meeting.
The spread of maritime instability, the behaviour of non-state actors, the use of dual-use vessels, and gaps in information sharing affect all three EU Naval Forces in different ways. The shared vision calls for closer operational alignment between EUNAVFOR IRINI, ATALANTA and ASPIDES.
Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI hosted this first meeting at its headquarters in Rome It aimed at greater operational coordination between the European Union's maritime forces and their Operation Headquarters in Rome (IRINI), commanded by Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri), in Rota, Spain (ATALANTA), and in Larissa, Greece (ASPIDES commanded by Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis).
In February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA assets conducted multiple “friendly approaches” to local fishing vessels. During these encounters, ATALANTA forces use the opportunity to check on the crews’ conditions on board, and their concerns about suspicious activities at sea, such as piracy or illegal fishing. It also improves mutual understanding, builds confidence in the Operation, and raises awareness of the security situation in the area.
On 7 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship conducted a joint activity at sea with the Japanese destroyer JPS OHNAMI, currently deployed to Combined Task Force 151 from the Combined Maritime Forces. Countering piracy in the region is one of the tasks for both forces Therefore, mutual understanding and joint exercises are crucial to ensure an efficiente interaction, as is timely information sharing and effective mutual support . The partnership between ATALANTA and the Combined Maritime Forces is a robust pillar formaritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
On 18 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ESP VICTORIA conducted a HELO training with air assets from the French Forces in Djibouti. The exercises consisted of landings on the ATALANTA warship flight deck during her transit through the Gulf of Aden, and coordination during approach manoeuvres. These exercises are essential to ensure the interoperability and check the procedures of partner forces deployed in the region.
On 20 February 2026, Italian Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi assumed command of the 52nd rotation as Force Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA. He took 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.
On 21 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA asset, ESP CANARIAS, conducted an escort to Motor Tanker MONTESPERANZA during her transit across the Gulf of Aden. The reassurance of shipping vessels is a vital task to ATALANTA, which remains at the core of the mandate since the launch of the Operation in late 2008.
On 22 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA assets, Operation flagship ITS BIANCHI, and ESPS CANARIAS, conducted a joint exercise at sea to strengthen integration, improve mutual understanding, and refine interoperability between all means deployed in the area of operation.
ATALANTA forces conduct joint exercises on a regular basis to ensure the expected maximum efficiency regarding the use of means and timing of action.
On 27 February, Operation ATALANTA flagship ITS BIANCHI and Korean destroyer ROKS DAE JO YEONG conducted a joint activity at sea as part of the regular cooperation between both forces. During the exercise, ATALANTA Force Commander, Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi with accompanied by staff and crew from the Force Headquarter and from ITS BIANCHI, had the opportunity to visit the Korean warship .. With their Korean hosts they discussed future joint maritime activities and opportunities to improve synergies in their common effort to ensure maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
In February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was supported by ships from Spain, Italy, France and Greece.
On 6 February, Operation ATALANTA Commander and the Deputy Commander paid a courtesy visit to the Italian warship SAN GIUSTO, during her port visit in Cadiz, Spain.
SAN GIUSTO is an amphibious ship equipped with a floodable dock specialized to land amphibious assault troops in power projection operations from the sea.
On 11 February, the ATALANTA ORION Detachment hosted the Allies and Partners Brief, a multinational meeting, during which the multiple actors present in the Horn of Africa share their operations and activities with allies and partners in the region, briefing the CJTF-HOA (Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa) Command Element. ATALANTA led the meeting, attended by international allies such as the United States, Japan, France, Italy, and Germany.
The meeting is held on a regular basis and consolidate the efforts to promote security and international cooperation in the region.
On 13 February, the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA received the visit of a delegation of Spanish community in the country, led by the Spanish Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Francisco Javier de Istúriz.
ATALANTA is a crucial tool in supporting EU and member States diplomatic action in the region.
On 13 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Orion Detachment personnel participated in the DECAN Cross, a 10 km race in desert terrain. DECAN, a French acronym DÉCouvrir et Aider la Nature (discover and help nature) was started in 2001 by a veterinarian to help animals with rehabilitation.
Second Lieutenant Isidro Cortés Vílchez took first place and Lieutenant Noelia Pérez Mora took second place in their respective categories. This activity was not only a sporting event but also raised funds to maintain and protect the ecosystem and endangered species in Djibouti.
Allied forces from countries such as Germany, the United States, France, and Japan also participated, united by their commitment to environmental preservation, international cooperation, and the values of sport.
On 14 February, ATALANTA Force Commander Commodore Joao Silva awarded the Medal of the Cross of Saint George to Commander Jorge Fernandez de Navarrete, ESPS VICTORIA Commanding Officer, in recognition of his merits and distinguished contribution to the Republic of Portugal. The Spanish warship was the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA’s flagship during the 51st Force Headquarters rotation.
On 26 February, ATALANTA Orion detachment personnel made a donation to the Caritas Djibouti charity centre. The donation consisted of 1.5 tonnes of food from the “Estela de Ayo” association, Spain, in support of the most vulnerable local population in Djibouti. This activity, carried out beyond the duties of our men and women, demonstrates the solidarity of our members and brings them closer to the local population, creating an essential bond of trust and friendship
In February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA celebrated the following national days:
On 18 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA conveyed its greetings to our regional partners and colleagues of the Islamic faith on the beginning of Ramadan, wishing them and their families, good health, peace and harmony during this period.
