The frigates 'Santa María' and 'Reina Sofía' take over in Operation EUNAVFOR 'Atalanta'

• This European Union maritime operation in the Indian Ocean has been providing surveillance and deterrence against piracy and illicit trafficking since 2008

Operation Atalanta's frigates and Force Commander handover ceremony in the port of Djibouti. The frigate 'Reina Sofia' takes over from the 'Santa Maria' and the Italian Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo assumes command of the 49th rotation. The ceremonies were presided over respectively, one by Captain Gonzalo Leira Neira, representing the Commander of the Spanish Operations Command and the second by Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, Commander of Operation Atalanta, Commander of the Operation Atalanta, at the Operational Headquarters in Rota.

Personnel from the Air and Space Army's Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Orion', which was also part of the European mission against piracy in the Indian Ocean, were also on board the frigate 'Santa Maria'.

From now on, the frigate 'Reina Sofia' starts its mission with the principal task of fighting piracy as well as guaranteeing maritime security in the Indian Ocean waters. An air unit composed of a SH-60B “Seahawk” helicopter from the 10th Aircraft Squadron and a “Scan Eagle” unmanned aircraft from the 11th Aircraft Squadron, as well as a Special Operations Team from the Special Naval Warfare Force (SNWF) and a ROLE-2 medical team are embarked on board the vessel.

The 48th rotation, with the frigate 'Santa Maria' commanding, has been involved in several piracy events: two armed robberies at sea, one to a Chinese flagged fishing vessel and another to a Yemeni flagged fishing vessel which are already solved, and a third to another Yemeni vessel which is currently under investigation and monitoring by the ATALANTA operation.

' Atalanta Operation'

Operation Atalanta was the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted following an increase in piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005. With the support of Spain, it became the first EU naval operation conducted under the Common Security and Defence Policy.

At the end of 2024, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until February 2027, reflecting both the achievements made and the challenges for the future. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been enlarged in successive mandates and now encompasses the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Currently, under the operational control of the Operations Command, Spain is contributing to Operation Atalanta with around 350 military personnel, as well as the following assets and units:

• The Operation Headquarters, OHQ, at the Rota naval base.
• One frigate/ warship.
• An embarked helicopter.
• An embarked special operations team.
• One maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT ‘Orion’) in Djibouti.

Liaison offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).

Operation Logistics Support Unit deployed in Djibouti (Djibouti). 

Spain has been the only EU country to have participated continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago. This demonstrates our commitment to security in the region.