Atalanta. Six months later, first assessment (3). The means

(B2) The European anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta has gradually increased its means since its start. From 3 to 4 warships, at the beginning of December 2008, it counted,
at the end of May 2009, a dozen ships (German, Spanish, French, Swedish, Italian, Greek) and 3 planes. If the figure varies, day by day, On average, 6-7 European ships (frigates and supply ship), about ten helicopters (each frigate is equipped with one or two helicopters) and 2 maritime surveillance planes are mobilized.

The P3 Orion in flight. Aircraft an essential element of the operation (credit: Spanish Ministry of Defence)

Participating States. Most European countries are participating in the operation, including all states with a navy (Spain, France, Greece, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands). A notable exception: Portugal. The other countries take part in it through officers placed in the General Staffs (Finland, Latvia, Romania, etc.). NB: TheIreland, the Bulgaria... have just decided to send officers to the General Staff. In addition, several third countries have decided to participate in the operation (Norway) or plan to do so (Switzerland).

Note that like any military operation, Denmark is not participating in the operation. Which, however, is paradoxical. Its navy, present in the coalition led by the Americans (CTF) is, in fact, one of the most active in the fight against piracy. But not having the necessary legal framework, the seizures of pirates that it carries out are without result because they end in the release, except if another State requests the transfer (only one case so far with the Netherlands , early January: after the interception of the Samanyulo, vessel registered in the Netherlands Antilles).

The rear logistics base (FHQ Log) is located at the military airport of Djibouti (with 25 men led by a Briton) and the port of Djibouti. It benefits from the support of European troops based in the area: France has a permanent base (more than 2000 people, with transport and fighter planes, ships) and Germany also maintains a small logistics detachment as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Commandment. The operation is commanded by a small multinational staff headed by a British rear-admiral (Philip Jones for the first six months, replaced by Peter D. Hudson), assisted by a deputy — the French rear-admiral Jean Pierre Labonne (for the first six months) and German Flotilla Admiral Torsten Kähler (for the next six months). The succession of commanders is scheduled for early June.

The Operation Headquarters (OHQ) is located in Northwood (25 miles north of London) which also houses the Joint Command for British Overseas Operations (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) and one of the NATO Allied Maritime Commands. NATO.

In the area, the force commander (at sea) is directly on one of the frigates, by rotation between several countries. After the Greek commodore Antonios Papaioannou who assumed command, from December to March, from the Greek frigate Psara, a Spaniard took over, in April 2009, Juan Garat Caramé. From August 2009, he will, in turn, be relieved by a Dutchman.

Funding. The operation is mainly financed by the Member States. It is estimated that a maritime patrol aircraft of the Orion type, with its crew and its maintenance costs 30 million euros over a full year (according to the Spaniards). Whereas a frigate costs (according to the German budget) about 40 million euros over a full year.

The overall budget for the operation is therefore around 300 million euros. Only a small part of its costs is covered by the “Athena” solidarity mechanism (staff costs): 8,3 million euros.