EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

Swedish warship HSwMS CARLSKRONA handed over EU NAVFOR Flagship duties to French destroyer FS DE GRASSE on 14 August 2010 and started a three-week maintenance period. She is now back at sea with other EU NAVFOR warships, patrolling the IRTC.

HSwMS CARLSKRONA is an important asset for the Task Force. Notably, she has outstanding medical facilities, a skilled boarding team and can act as a helicopter platform. “Even though some of the crew has changed, HSwMS CARLSKRONA will continue being very efficient as she already has a very good situational awareness and a lot of experience in the fight against piracy”, said Force Commander Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau.

With HSwMS CARLSKRONA coming back to operations with EU NAVFOR, the Task Force now has 11 warships in its fleet, with common objectives: escort vessels carrying humanitarian aid for the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean; deter and disrupt piracy; and finally monitor fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.