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The Greek frigate in the area, announces the EUNAVFOR Med Irini operation

(B2) The Greek Navy frigate, HS Spetsai, joined the European operation to monitor the arms embargo off the coast of Libya (EUNAVFOR MED Irini)

The frigate Spetsai during its visit to the port of Augusta (Sicily), the logistics base of the operation (credit: EUNAVFOR Med Irini)

Boarding party and helicopter

With a boarding party specially trained to conduct maritime interdiction operations on board, as well as a Sikorsky S-70B Aegean Hawk helicopter, the vessel has been patrolling the designated area of ​​operation since today (Thursday 4). in the central Mediterranean. He will be supported in the air by a team of three planes, deployed by Germany, Luxembourg and Poland, which will take turns to monitor the area and guide the ship.

A stopover in Augusta

Le Spetses (F-453) had arrived the day before (Wednesday 3) in the port of Augusta (Sicily), logistics base for EUNAVFOR Med ships, for final preparations, in particular to receive secure communication equipment with the neighborhood general of operations located in Rome.

The Greek frigate comes to take over from the Jean Bart, without having been able to physically pass the baton. The French frigate indeed left the area a little hastily (read: The Jean Bart blocks an Emirati vessel smuggling oil. And go back to Toulon).

Results

The operation is already having results, according to its commander. " Even though the mission started recently, it has already produced results in terms of collecting information on arms trafficking and in deterring oil smuggling as well. “, says Rear Admiral (Italian) Fabio Agostini. Results shared with the group of United Nations experts responsible for collecting information on the application of the arms and oil embargo imposed by a United Nations resolution.

(NGV)

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).

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