Funding
Djibouti: ESPS Tornado Swaps Helicopters
Spanish warship, ESPS Tornado, integrated with the EU Naval Force on counter-piracy operation, dropped anchor in the port of Djibouti on 26 December 2013 to change helicopters, since its Augusta Bell 212 helicopter had become unserviceable and beyond repair. As a result, the Spanish Navy arranged fo
Spain: Cantabria Welcomed Home after 215 Days at Sea
Spanish fleet replenishment ship ‘Cantabria’ has returned to her home port in Ferrol, Spain after spending a year deployed to Australia where she integrated with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ship has supplied more than 12,000 tons of fuel and sailed 43,200 miles during 215 days at sea. Since
EUNAVFOR Warships Exchange Christmas Gifts
On 23 December, two EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) warships, FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado, conducted a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) which is a transfer of items from one ship to another by the use of a helicopter. The replenishment took place amid counter-piracy deployment of the warships to the Gulf
Australian Navy’s Second LHD Hull Heads to Melbourne
The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy’s new amphibious ships has departed from Vigo in northern Spain, Australian Defence Minister Senator David Johnston today announced. The Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship
Spanish OPV, Tanzanian Navy Conduct Training
During their recent port visit to Dar Es Salaam, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel, ESPS Tornado, conducted training with a team from the Tanzanian Navy. Nineteen members of the Tanzanian Navy were given a briefing on boarding operations, followed by a boarding exercise. The
EU Navfor Commander on Board Ukrainian Frigate
“The Ukrainian Navy is very much looking forward to joining the European Union Naval Force, which has made a significant contribution in the fight against piracy over the past five years.” On Tuesday 17 December 2013, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, the Force Commander of the European Union’s counter pi
EU Navfor Maintains Strong Links with Combined Maritime Forces, NATO to Deter Somali Piracy
When Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjéan took over the Force Headquarters of the EU Operation Atalanta on Friday 6 December, one of his first actions was to meet with the Force Commanders of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, and NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield, Rear Admiral Eugeni
Federal German Ship Hessen Hosts EU Navfor Commander
On Friday morning 13 December 2013, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, who is the EU Force Commander for Operation Atalanta warships conducting counter piracy patrols off the Somali coast, visited Federal German Ship (FGS) Hessen. After being flown on board FGS Hessen by the German warship’s Sea Lynx MK-88
Italian Frigate Assists Yemeni Fishing Dhow
On Friday 13 December EU Naval Force frigate, ITS Libeccio came to the assistance of a Yemeni fishing dhow that was sailing along the Somali coast with 38 people on board. Due to poor weather conditions, one of two skiffs that were being towed astern of the dhow had capsized and started to sink. Ful
FS Siroco Hosts Meeting with Somaliland Representatives
On Sunday, 15 December 2013, EU Naval Force French flagship, FS Siroco hosted a meeting with Somaliland representatives, including Vice President Abdirahman Abdallahi Ismail Saylici. “We welcome this engagement with EUCAP Nestor as it will pave the way for technical cooperation in the field of mar
Italian Warship Hosts Force Commander of EU Navfor
On Wednesday 11 December the Force Commander of EUNAVFOR, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjéan, visited ITS Libeccio. The Italian warship is currently conducting counter piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean as part of the European Union’s Operation Atalanta. The visit was an opportunity for the
Spanish Navy Patrol Vessel Tornado Supports Food Aid to Reach Kismayo
On Wednesday 11 December, Spanish EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) ship ESPS Tornado completed a three day escort of a World Food Programme (WFP) chartered vessel. The WFP ship was escorted by ESPS Tornado from Mombasa to the port of Kismayo in Somalia. During the escort, members of the Spanish Navy crew
Royal Navy to Protect UK Marine Conservation Areas
The Royal Navy has adopted a new approach to minimising its impact on the environment that could become a blueprint for other Naval services. It has produced Environmental Protection Guidelines (Maritime) (EPG(M)), an interactive military layer of electronic charting which provides advice on the sui
HMS Daring Docks in Shanghai, China
After supporting ongoing British relief efforts in the Philippines, HMS Daring has arrived in Shanghai. The goodwill visit to China comes at an important time in bilateral relations, just after the UK-China summit when Prime Minister David Cameron led a strong delegation of ministers and businessmen