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The coordinated maritime presence. A new European concept? Explanations

(B2) The concept of coordinated maritime presences burst into the informal meeting of European Union defense ministers on Thursday (August 29) in Helsinki. What does it cover? What he is ? What is it not?

Refueling between several ships in the Indian Ocean (credit: EUNAVFOR Atalanta - B2 Archives - September 2018)

A concept 'made in'Strait of Hormuz? Contrary to what one might think, it is not the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf that triggered the reflection. She had started before. But it is certain, the maritime tension in this strategic area has surely helped to raise awareness and the need to think about it... more quickly.

Where does the idea come from? The idea has been in the air for several months, even several years in European corridors. In fact, everything starts from the assessment of the Atalanta anti-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean. While the option of closing the operation is mentioned, most European operational staff believe that it is necessary to at least keep the nerve center of the operation: the exchange of information between Europeans first of all but also with the civilian world, the merchant navy. There is also a need to maintain a semi-permanent presence in the event of a resurgence of piracy. And the solution is all found: it is a question of coordinating the means of the national navies present for other missions (Read also: The eight options for the EU anti-piracy operation (EUNAVFOR Atalanta) in the future).

How might this work in practice? The key will be based on information. Member countries will exchange information on their naval presence in the area concerned, such as threats or incidents encountered. 'Status bulletins' will be sent to participating States. If necessary given the crisis situation, the Europeans could decide to reinforce their presence or to intensify exchanges. If necessary, the European 'regulator' could ask certain countries to extend or increase their presence, if a crisis looms.

Is it similar to the Standing NATO Groups (SNMG) ? It doesn't really have to do. In this case, these groups despite their name are not permanent. Rather, they are regular maritime missions, with an identified route, which make it possible to carry out a few exercises, 'naval diplomacy', or even to contribute to intelligence or information operations, all under NATO command (*). On the European side, the device will not have the naval force command itself. It will base its action on the ships already present in the region, with an added bonus: liaison with the civilian world. The device will be truly permanent. If we can compare it, it is rather a mini-Marcom.

Is it a CSDP mission or operation? No, although the format may be similar, it is not a mission or an operation. On the one hand, there is no chain of command. The European center will have no command authority. The device is much lighter and relies more on technology, the exchange of information than on a maritime influence.

How will we determine the areas concerned? This will be part of an upstream work. The Europeans are going to determine areas of common maritime interest. Criteria still need to be defined. But we can specify that there are three or four main ones. Firstly, it must be an area which has a high stake from a strategic point of view, but also an economic or political one for, if not all the Member States, at least a number of them. Secondly, various European means (on a national basis) are already deployed there and the need for coordination is felt. Thirdly, the interest of this coordination and of an increased exchange of information must have an added value compared to the other already existing mechanisms. If a CSDP operation is already deployed in the area, this does not require the implementation of this additional mechanism. Finally, the bordering States must be involved or wish to see the Europeans become more involved.

What will be the first test area? Normally the Gulf of Guinea. It is a well marked area. There is already a European program (supported by the European Commission) to consolidate the countries in the area and set up an information network. The French with Operation Corymbe, like the Spanish, Portuguese and other forces are present in the area. There is already a coordination center, based in Brest, managed by the French navy. And 'chance' does things well... This coordination center also took charge of the management of information exchanges with the merchant navy for the anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta (the MSCHOA).

Why not the Strait of Hormuz? This area roughly matches the various criteria. But this is taking a certain political risk. The debates at the informal meeting of foreign ministers in Helsinki on Thursday (29 August) showed this. The Europeans are not keen on setting up a operation in the Strait of Hormuz, preferring to bet on diplomacy with Tehran than on the military option as decided by the Americans and the British. Starting the implementation of a new military concept by the aggravation of a political crisis would not bode well for the survival of this concept. Better to test it on an area with less tense stakes.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Read also: To build a Defense Europe, we must work with all the European navies (RA Gilles Boidevezi)

(*) SNMGs are “ integrated multinational maritime forces made up on an ad hoc basis of ships from allied countries. They are placed temporarily (the duration of the mission) under NATO command to carry out " a wide range of tasks ranging from deterrent presence, through situational awareness, exercises and the conduct of operational missions ". There are two formations: two groups are composed of frigates and destroyers in charge of more general missions (SNMG 1 and 2) and two groups are focused more specifically on the fight against mines with a more operational vocation (SNMCMG 1 and 2).

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

2 thoughts on “The coordinated maritime presence. A new European concept? Explanations"

  • Jean Francois Drevet

    Why not to protect the EEZ of Cyprus?

  • Hassan Nasrallah

    How afraid to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz?
    Where does this allegiance to Iran come from to bow before the retrograde mullahs and the aggressive Revolutionary Guards?

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