European ambassadors and Omani officials visit the frigate 'Navarra'

•  During its stopover in Salalah, the flagship of Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta welcomed a diplomatic delegation from the European Union and Oman on board

The frigate Navarra — flagship of the European Union's Operation Atalanta and commanded by Commander Valentín Calvar Cerecedo — welcomed a delegation of European ambassadors and Omani authorities on board during its stopover in the port of Salalah in Oman.

To begin the day, the delegation—composed of the ambassadors of Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, Cyprus, and Austria—toured the facilities of the Navarra. During their visit, sailors from the crew presented the ship's operational and logistical capabilities, which enable it to carry out the tasks of the European anti-piracy mission in the Western Indian Ocean with proven effectiveness.

Subsequently, the ambassadors and the Omani delegation attended a lecture on Operation Atalanta given by the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz. During the meeting, the mission's main objectives, its achievements over the years and the milestones reached during this 50th rotation were presented. In particular, the importance of Oman for the operation as a first-rate logistics hub in a strategic geographical location was highlighted, as well as the opportunity to further strengthen ties and cooperation between the European Union, Spain and Oman in the future.

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. and, with the firm support of Spain, it became—by decision of the EU Council in November 2008—the first European Union naval operation to be carried out within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

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.

Currently, and during the intermonsoon period, Spain contributes to Operation Atalanta with the following resources and units:

• The Operation Atalanta Headquarters (OHQ), located at the naval base in Rota (Cádiz).
• The Operation Atalanta Force Headquarters, which is embarked on the frigate Navarra.
• The frigate Navarra.
• A mixed airborne unit (UNAEMB), consisting of a helicopter and a ScanEagle UAV.
• An Airborne Special Operations Team
• A maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT “Orion”) in Djibouti.
• Liaison offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Victoria Harbour (Seychelles).
• Logistical Support Unit for the Operation deployed in Djibouti (Djibouti).

As a sign of our commitment to security in the region, Spain has been the only country in the European Union to participate continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago, as well as leading the operation from its headquarters in Rota since 2019.