Operation ATALANTA

Operation ATALANTA Latest News

Recently, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA has proposed a joint naval exercise with the Indian Navy.

Why in the News?

• EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA, which operates in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, has proposed a joint maritime exercise with the Indian Navy to be conducted around the end of May 2025.
• The primary goal of the proposal is to enhance coordination and maritime cooperation between European naval forces and the Indian Navy, particularly in the face of resurgent piracy threats and geopolitical instability in the Red Sea region.
• The proposed drill will go beyond the usual Passage Exercises (PASSEX) and will include advanced tactical manoeuvres, counter-piracy operations, and inter-naval communications training, if approved.
• The Horn of Africa region, once again experiencing piracy amidst Houthi rebel activity in the Red Sea, has prompted a need for enhanced maritime coordination, even though incidents have decreased recently.

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About Operation ATALANTA

• Launched in 2008, Operation ATALANTA is the EU’s counter-piracy mission in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, initially targeting piracy off the Somali coast.
• Its expanded mandate includes:
  • Protection of World Food Programme (WFP) vessels
  • Surveillance of the arms embargo on Somalia
  • Monitoring drug and arms trafficking
  • Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
  • Disruption of illegal charcoal trade

Source: TH