The succession of the first four months is preparing for EUNAVFOR

(BRUSSELS2) British Rear Admiral Jones - commanding the Eunavfor Atalanta operation - was on Tuesday before the COPS - the political and security committee to report on the evolution of the European military operation to fight against pirates and in particular to the sequence of operations. After the relief by the italian corvette ITS Commander Bettica (P-492) and the British ship Northumberland (F-238), several changes are indeed to be expected in the coming days.

The main changes to come

First from March 20: two German ships - Emden (class 22) and the Spessart (a tanker) from the permanent NATO group (the SNMG1) which will cruise in the region, will leave the NATO flag, to join the operation under the European flag (the Bundestag has, in fact, authorized the anti-piracy military action under the EU flag - not under the NATO flag). On a temporary basis, two French ships also arrived in the area: the helicopter carrier Jeanne D'Arc and the frigate Georges Leygues.

As of April 7: the command of the force will change. A Spaniard, Captain Juan Garat Caramé, will succeed the Greek Antonios Papaioannou, and the spanish frigate Numancia (F-83) will become the flagship. The European Union's Political and Security Committee approved the appointment on Monday.

Then will arrive on the zone the swedish ships : two Göteborg-type corvettes + a tanker, which should be in place by 15 May at the latest. With about 160 men according to the law submitted to the Riksdagen - the Swedish parliament which approved this commitment on March 12. But in the event of a problem, the government will be able to increase this participation to 450 men, if a temporary reinforcement is necessary because of the deterioration of security. They will be primarily in charge of the World Food Program (WFP) boats.

Finally will follow - in the summer - the belgian frigates Louise Marie (F-931) and Dutch Evertsen (F805), as well as the Norwegian ship. And the circle of the first year will be completed.

Russian side, the destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, salvage tug Fotii Krylov and the tankers Boris Butoma et Petchenga, who arrived off the Horn of Africa on January 2nd left. Two ships are heading for Indonesia. While the tug Fotii Krylov and tank it Boris Butoma carrying marine rifle units are due to return to Vladivostok on March 20, according to Ria Novosti. The Russian Navy plans to send a new destroyer to the Pacific Fleet in April.Admiral Panteleev, which will leave its base in Vladivostok.

L'Ukraine announced concretely the intention to engage in the fight against pirates. Valentin Nalivaïtchenko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), thus announced - last Thursday (12 March) that Alfa, a special unit of the SBU, would take part in the activity of international forces in the fight against piracy.

Atalanta's current system
Maritime means
- Greece: frigate "Psara" (flagship), and his helicopter.
- France: frigate "Floreal" (F-730)
- Italy: ITS Commander Bettica (P492)
- Germany: frigate Karlsruhe (F-212), equipped with two helicopters, commandos will take place in sensitive merchant ships + hours of air patrol.
- Spain: frigate, the “ Victoria (F-82)
Aerial means
- P3-Orion surveillance aircraft (Spain), based in Djibouti + if necessary, Atlantic II aircraft (France).
- helicopters on board the frigates.

(NGV)

(photo: Juan Garat Caramé, new Force Commander of Operation EUNAVFOR, © Spanish Navy)