The Italian flagship of Operation Irini, the San Giorgio, arrives as reinforcements

(B2) The Italian ship promised by Rome has (finally) joined EUNAVFOR MED Irini. It will serve as flagship for the arms embargo control operation off the coast of Libya

The case was rather original. Operation Irini operated without a flagship, with a force commander operating from another vessel. This anomaly is now fixed. And the European operation is no longer far from reaching its full operational capacity.

Le St. George joined the Greek frigate Spetses, which had been in place since the beginning of June, as well as the French, German, Greek, Luxembourg and Polish planes which take turns in the area of ​​operation.

A complete flagship

The landing ship ITS San Giorgio (L-9892) is equipped with an Agusta Westland EH 101 transport helicopter. It will have on board a team of marine infantry from the (famous) San Marco marine brigade. These marines will be able to carry out boardings, by force » if necessary specifies the operation HQ. As a flagship, it will also house the Force Command led by Italian Rear Admiral Ettore Socci, at least until mid-October (when Greece takes over). A full medical facility such as a medical-surgical center (Role 1) will be able to treat most cases and stabilize a patient.

A delay linked to the coronavirus crisis

If it took some time for the ship to arrive in the area, it is for a very political reason. The approval of the Italian Parliament was needed on the program of missions and operations for 2020. However, the confinement, like the harshness of the coronavirus crisis, delayed this approval. It was only yesterday, Thursday (July 16) that the green light was given by the Italian Chamber of Deputies, by a large majority (1).

Drone, plane and submarine

But Italy is catching up. Besides the landing ship, she provides Irini with a much-needed drone for intelligence operations, in addition to the logistics and military operational bases of Augusta, Pantelleria and Sigonella. Three other assets will also be provided as 'associated support', that is to say available more occasionally: a P72 maritime patrol aircraft (MPRA), an airborne warning aircraft (AEW) and a submarine.

Almost full operational capacity

With the entry into the running of its flagship, Operation Irini " may soon reach full operational capability said the commander of the operation, Admiral Fabio Agostini. This should be achieved with the arrival of the German ship, the Hamburg, in August, according to our information.

Useful collections of information

His birth " in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic did not facilitate the generation of force ". Despite this, the mission has already produced some “ results in terms of intelligence gathering and deterrent effect on the arms trafficking and oil smuggling sectors “, he says. The information collected was communicated to the United Nations group of experts for Libya " with which there is a consolidated, growing and fruitful cooperation ».

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

1. It was the question of the formation of the Libyan coast guard that caused more discussion, even forcing a separate vote on the operation in Libya. Several deputies, in particular of the majority, wishing to see this training interrupted because it violates human rights.

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