EUNAVFOR Atalanta lacks air force

(B2) This is a note from the command of EUNAVFOR Atalanta which was received a few days ago by all the military representations of the Member States in Brussels. The European anti-piracy mission lacks air resources (mainly maritime patrol aircraft) and would like the Member States to do their best to fill this void as quickly as possible. If the need has been identified and the missive sent a few days ago, the resurgence of acts of piracy of the weekend attests that this is a vital need and not a "fad" of an operation commander (always asking for resources).

The maritime patrol boat is, in fact, the ideal and almost unique instrument to monitor such a vast area, whether in the Gulf of Aden or the Indian Ocean. However, EUNAVFOR currently only has one or two maritime patrol aircraft. While the Spanish P3 Orion aircraft is, in fact, placed under the command of the operation, the French Breguet Atlantic 2 aircraft is only available on certain days. As for the German plane, which will also be based in Djibouti, it is essentially dedicated to Operation Enduring Freedom (anti-terrorist). The objective of EUNAVFOR HQ is to obtain either new resources or more flight hours from aircraft already based in Djibouti. In the meantime, EUNAVFOR temporarily benefits from a new means. A Falcon will be available for a week to monitor the area around the Seychelles.

(photo: Spanish P3 based in Djibouti, © NGV)

(NGV)