Italy Claims EU Naval Forces Insufficient for Red Sea Security

The Italian Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, stated that the number of warships contributed by European Union countries to Operation Aspides is still insufficient to ensure the security of commercial vessels using the Red Sea and the strategic waterway of Bab al-Mandab .

Crosetto made this statement after a meeting in Rome with the EU's Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas. He welcomed the decision by some EU member states to increase support for Operation Aspides, but noted that the current capacity does not yet guarantee that commercial vessels can safely navigate the region.

According to diplomatic sources, Operation Aspides currently has six warships, and Kaja Kallas previously indicated that the operation needs more than ten ships to effectively carry out its duties, especially considering the scale of the Red Sea and the dangers present in the Bab al-Mandab waterway.

Italy, for its part, has stated that it is ready to send additional ships to the region if there are delays in the joint decisions of the European Union.

The Rome government warned that insecurity and disruptions in maritime traffic could increase transportation costs, delay the delivery of goods, and raise prices for traders and families.

Operation Aspides was launched by the European Union in 2024, with the aim of protecting commercial vessels from attacks occurring in the Red Sea, particularly those linked to the Houthis in Yemen.

The tensions in the Red Sea and the threats near Bab al-Mandab have further tightened the security of one of the most important routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The Aspides operation differs from Operation Atalanta of the European Union, which focuses on combating piracy and ensuring maritime security in Somalia, the Gulf of Aden, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

Although both operations can collaborate on maritime security and intelligence sharing, they have different mandates and operational areas.

Thus, the increase in the capabilities of the European Union's naval forces could impact the approach to security threats in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The region still faces maritime security challenges, with ongoing efforts to protect commercial vessels and international trade movements.