The frigate “Navarra” takes over from the “Reina Sofía” in Operation Atalanta

• Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz, embarked on the “Navarra”, becomes the new EUNAVFOR Atalanta Force Commander

The frigate “Navarra” has succeeded the “Reina Sofía” in Operation Atalanta after the handover ceremony held in the port of Djibouti.

Thus, the frigate “Navarra” begins this anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, in which it also provides protection for the vessels of the United Nations World Food Programme.

It also becomes the flagship of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA), with the Force Commander, Spanish Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz, on board. This is the sixth time this ship has deployed to the Indian Ocean.

For its part, the frigate “Reina Sofía”, after more than four months as part of the operation, has completed its deployment and is now in demand at Rota, in Cádiz.

Spain is the only EU country that has participated continuously in this operation, demonstrating a firm commitment to maritime security in the area.

Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta is the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted after the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005 onwards, and, with Spain's strong support, it became the first EU naval operation to be carried out within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

At the end of 2024, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until 28 February 2027, reflecting the achievements and challenges for the future. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been expanded under 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, and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.

Spain is currently contributing to Operation Atalanta with approximately 350 military personnel, as well as the following assets and units:

•  The Operation Headquarters, OHQ, at the Rota Naval Base.
• A frigate/ warship.
• A mixed airborne unit (UNAEMB), consisting of helicopter and ScanEagle UAV.
• An Embarked Special Operations team during inter-monsoon periods only, or an Operational Security Team (OST) during all other periods.
• A maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT ‘Orion’) in Djibouti during inter-monsoon periods.
• Liaison Offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).
•  Logistics Support Unit for the Operation deployed to Djibouti (Djibouti)

As a sign of our commitment to security in the region, Spain has been the only European Union country to have participated continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago.