EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said that the EU’s Aspides naval mission, operating in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, will be reinforced with additional ships.
According to Kallas, in recent days the mission has faced a “sharp increase” in requests for security and escort, so the decision was made to increase the force to “strengthen the security of shipping in the region.”
Previously, the EU Council extended the mandate of Operation Aspides until February 28, 2027, noting that the mission’s objective is to protect freedom of navigation and trade routes in the face of threats to commercial activity.