Who will command Operation Atalanta in 2010?

(BRUSSELS2) Who will hoist the Eunavfor standard on his ship as commander of the operation? This is one of the questions, perhaps the most delicate, which must be examined during the next force generation conference, which will bring together the heads of the armed forces of the Member States, in September or early October.

After a first force generation conference in July, the "serious" things are indeed approaching for the European anti-piracy operation (Eunavfor Atalanta) with the search for the last necessary means, the distribution of forces in the year 2010 and, even... a first lap to see who could participate after the operation. Because it now seems planned to extend the anti-piracy mission for a third year (2011). On the means side, there is not really any fundamental problem (as for the Eufor Chad operation), there is above all a lack of supply tankers. On the command side, on the other hand, it is more delicate. This question is above all very political rather than military (the very date of the generation conference is not quite sure yet, everything depends on the outcome of informal consultations between capitals and the European General Staff). Here is the state of the possibilities (as I could understand it).

One thing seems certain: the operation command would stay in Northwood (near London), and be led by a British Rear-Admiral (Hudson or another according to the goodwill of the Navy), for one year.

For the Deputy Operation Commander, there are three candidates: French, German and Greek. The principle is normally to have a relief in the middle of the year (six months of command).

As to force command on the zone - the most emblematic command, because the most tactical ... and the most media - it would remain divided into three terms. But for now, there are more candidates than positions: Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain and Greece (again) have expressed this desire. And even Belgium, if we are to believe the Belgian Minister of Defence, De Crem, who confirmed the government's intention to have tactical command during the Belgian presidency of the EU (2nd half of 2010). A candidacy that has not yet been, apparently, officially confirmed in Northwood. In the state of the very diplomatic "battle": it could be Italy which would take the "winter" command (December 2009 - March 2010); she has offered a supply tanker as her flagship, a proposal that is hard to refuse. France would command the "autumn" term (August-December
2010), a proposal by Rear Admiral Hudson. The "spring" term (March-July) would remain. Logic would like to favor Germany, given its constant commitment to the operation and the height of its contribution (most often with 2 frigates, or even 3). But everything is still unresolved. The continuation of the operation after 2010 could be a compensation for the States which did not have a command, or the deputy command of the operation.