The Spanish Air and Space Force's D-4 VIGMA aircraft returns to the Orion Tactical Air Detachment

• The maritime surveillance capabilities of this aircraft strengthen the fight against piracy in the EU's Operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden

With the arrival of the inter-monsoon period, the Orion Tactical Air Detachment (DAT)—part of the European Union's Operation Atalanta—is strengthening its capacity to collaborate in the fight against piracy in the Western Indian Ocean. The deployment of the D-4 maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (VIGMA) in Djibouti has now been completed. Over the coming months, it will contribute to stability and freedom of navigation in a region that is key to international shipping routes.

The D-4 has made a long journey to reach the African country, which has also served to test the aircraft's flight capabilities. After departing from Gando Air Base in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and travelling more than 9,500 km with seven stopovers, it landed at Djibouti International Airport. The air crew belongs to Wing 46 of the Air and Space Force and is the 95th rotation to replace the French Armed Forces' 188th Air Base in Djibouti (FFDJ) since 2008, when the Atalanta mission began.

At the base, the Spanish airmen were welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Francisco José Moreno Chaves, head of the 56th Orion Contingent. The newly arrived airmen joined the rest of the military personnel who make up this air detachment. Those who arrived to Djibouti first, did on an A400M (T.23) in early September. Now, DAT Orion is fully prepared and ready to support the missions carried out by the D-4 VIGMA aircraft to collaborate in the security of the Horn of Africa: a region of enormous geostrategic importance, which is vital to the interests of the European Union and, therefore, of Spain.

The main task of DAT Orion in Operation Atalanta is to increase knowledge of the situation in the area of operations, with the aim of protecting World Food Programme (WFP) ships and other vulnerable vessels; deterring, preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery in the area of operations; and to contribute to the surveillance of drug and arms trafficking.

In the coming months, the D-4 VIGMA will be the “eyes” of Atalanta, as this aircraft—with its electronic and optical search and identification systems—will provide the information requested by the FHQ Force Commander.

Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta is the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted following the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean since 2005. With Spain's strong support, it became the first European Union naval operation to be carried out under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Furthermore, since 2019, Spain has been leading this European operation from the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) located in Rota (Cádiz).

At the end of 2024, the Council of the EU approved the extension of the operation's mandate until 28 February 2027, reflecting the achievements made and the challenges for the future. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been expanded in successive mandates and currently covers 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 currently contributes to Operation Atalanta with approximately 350 military personnel and the following resources:

• One frigate/warship;
• One shipborne helicopter;
• One shipborne Special Operations team;
• The Orion Detachment in Djibouti, which, during the inter-monsoon periods, has a maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft at its disposal;
• Four liaison officers located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles);
• Personnel in the Logistics Support Unit for the Operation deployed in Djibouti.