6 days ago - Named after the Greek word for shields (Greek: Ασπίδες), Operation Aspides—unlike the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian—is a "purely defensive" mission to increase maritime surveillance in the region, provide escort to merchant vessels, and defend against strikes.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is an EU military operation contributing to the protection of freedom of navigation, to safeguarding maritime security, especially for merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf under the EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The EUNAVFOR

On February 2025, EU Council decided to prolong the mandate of the operation until 28 February 2026. ASPIDES’ mandate is clear and comprehensive. At its core, the mission aims to contribute to Freedom of Navigation, enhance maritime security, and promote stability in the region.

March 16, 2026 - Aspides currently has three objectives: escort vessels, maintain maritime situational awareness and protect ships from multi-domain threats at sea. More specifically, Aspides protects shipping targeted by attacks at sea or from air, but does ...

March 15, 2026 - Aspides is an EU naval operation launched in the Red Sea in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in February 2024.

March 30, 2026 - The Council amended the mandate of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU operation established in February 2024 as a defensive operation in response to repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping.

February 16, 2024 - February 19 marks the launch of European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Aspides, a new maritime mission organized to address growing instability in the Red Sea and complement ongoing U.S.-led operations in the area.

March 7, 2024 - The EU operation, called EUNAVFOR Aspides (the ancient Greek word for “shields”), has initial contributions from seven member states: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Spain. It is headquartered in Greece, while Italy is in charge of its operations. Already, four multipurpose frigates are part of the mission: one each from France, Germany, Italy, and Greece.

February 23, 2026 - The operation contributes to ... Operation ASPIDES provides defensive maritime security, protects vessels and supports stability along key maritime routes in accordance with international law....

February 23, 2026 - EUNAVFOR warship escorts a CMA CGM containership in the Red Sea as part of the EU's Operation ASPIDES.

March 20, 2025 - ASPIDES’ mandate is clear and comprehensive, designed to tackle the complex and evolving challenges posed by the security crisis in the region. At its core, the mission contributes to freedom of navigation, enhances maritime security, and ...

The Bundeswehr has been participating in Operation EUNAVFOR Aspides since 23 February 2024, with its main focus on the Red Sea.

March 1, 2024 - EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is an EU military operation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf.

On February 2025, EU Council decided to prolong the mandate of the operation until 28 February 2026. ASPIDES’ mandate is clear and comprehensive. At its core, the mission aims to contribute to Freedom of Navigation, enhance maritime security, and promote stability in the region.