European anti-piracy forces deployed in the Gulf

August 6, 201011th May 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

(BRUSSELS2) The Rear Admiral Coindreau which is preparing to take command of the European anti-piracy forces in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean EUNAVFOR Atalanta (CTF 465) will have under its command - depending on the moment - between 5 to 11 ships and 2 to 5 aircraft in the theater of operations, supplied by around ten countries (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal). At least half of these ships have the distinction of having already taken part in Operation Atalanta in the past (or in a similar NATO operation), which ensures a good knowledge of the location, the methods of attacking the procedures and terms of this multinational operation.

The boats

- dand Grasse D-612(France) will be the flagship. Anti-submarine frigate, classified as a destroyer, it will have 330 sailors on board and above all the General Staff with 29 sailors of 8 different nationalities. Leaving Toulon, he hoisted the flag of Atalanta … and the Breton flag.

- Schleswig-Holstein F-216 (Germany). Present since May in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, this frigate will soon be finishing its mission.

- Libeccio F-572 (Italy)

The Libeccio refueling with a US ship (credit: US Navy)

- Infant Christina P-77 (Spain). Just crossed the Suez Canal.
Corvette served by 85 sailors and 7 Marine infantry who form the "operational security team".

Credit: Spanish Ministry of Defense / Armada

- Rhon A-1443 (Germany). Transport and supply ship, little brother of the Spessart attacked by pirates in 2009.

- adrias F-459 (Greece). He already took part in Atalanta's anti-piracy campaign earlier this year. In the midst of a period of budgetary restriction in Greece, this constitutes a notable effort by the government. But it is of the order of the paramount national interest, with the weight of the Greek merchant fleet (more than 4.000 ships, half of which gauge more than 100.000 tons. Nearly 10% of the world fleet in number of boats , nearly 1/6 in
tons). European forces deployed in the Indian Ocean. Point

- Galicia L-51 (Spain). Landing boat, equipped with 6 helicopters (a great advantage), sister-ship of Castilla which intervened in Haiti. - Amsterdam (Netherlands)

- Floreal F-730 (France). The "local" of the stage since this vessel based in Réunion has already made several periods of anti-piracy "watch" in the area. Read : 12 suspects arrested by Floréal in the northwest of the Seychelles. He also intervened in the hostage-taking of the Tanit. Read : Chloé Lemaçon's version of the Tanit tragedy implicates the army

- Cologne F-211 (Germany)

-Hms Carlskrona M-04 (Sweden). The Swedish flagship will end its watch period in the Gulf.

HMS Carlskrona-Se09.jpg — Credit: Swedish Navy

- Louise Marie F-931 (Belgium). A return for the Belgian frigate which already took part in Operation Atalanta a year ago (Read: 4 suspicious pirates arrested by the Louise-Marie, "accompanied" ashore), but has a new commander, the CPF Carl Gillis.

Credit: Belgian Ministry of Defense / Navy

- We Are A-631 (France). Command and supply building, headquarters of the Alindien, the admiral commanding the forces in the Indian Ocean, it has already been present on several piracy campaigns. The BCR Somme hands over the 5 pirate suspects to Puntland. And was even attacked, twice! The BCR Somme attacked by pirates. Again ! (shift)