Denel’s Umkhonto surface-to-air missile that was installed on the Algerian Navy’s second Meko frigate is set to undergo extensive testing in early 2017. The two frigates, with an option for another two, are built at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Northern Germany. Denel Dynamics supplies the SAM syste
The European Council extended operation Atalanta’s mandate to deter, disrupt and repress acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia until 31 December 2018. Operation Atalanta’s two-year mandate extension comes amidst concerns within European Union member states that whilst pirate attacks on merchant sh
Operation Atalanta’s force commander, Commodore Luyckx, welcomed the Japanese commander, Captain Minami, on board of Dutch flagship, HNLMS Tromp off the coast of Somalia on November 21. The Japanese escort task group (CCD4) is part of the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151). CTF151 focuses on the disr
A detachment of 20 Royal Danish Air Force officers and enlisted service members took flight in their aircraft from the Seychelles one last time on November 19 marking the end of their deployment. The Royal Danish Air Force Challenger CL-604 was deployed to NATO standing Operation Ocean Shield. The D
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Gold Rover left Simon’s town Naval Base for the final time on November 8. Gold Rover first visited Simon’s Town, South Africa in late 2006 and ever since has been a regular visitor. Simon’s Town has proven to be an ideal location within the area of operations to conduct m
German Navy’s Elbe-class replenishment ship Werra is set to return to its homeport in the Kiel Navy base after spending five months underway supporting EU’s maritime operations. Werra departed port in June to join EUNAVFOR’s operation Sophia to help tackle people smugglers, deaths of migrants at sea
Operation Atalanta’s force commander, Commodore Luyckx, who is currently embarked in the EU naval force flagship, HNLMS Tromp, took an opportunity to visit Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel ESPS Relampago as it was conducting her counter-piracy patrols off Somalia. After being welcomed on board
The EU naval force in charge of safeguarding shipping off the Horn of Africa has increased its patrols after Somali pirates attacked chemical tanker CPO Korea off the east coast of Somalia on October 22. During the attack a number of shots were exchanged between the six armed pirates, who were in a
The Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Tromp recently took a short break from her counter-piracy patrols with a port visit to the Seychelles where she carried out routine maintenance and restocked with food and other essential goods. HNLMS Tromp sailors took the opportunity to conduct training exe
Royal Navy tanker RFA Gold Rover recently refueled French helicopter carrier FS Dixmude and joined it for a piracy patrol off the Ivory Coast. Joined by Ivory Coast patrol boat Sekongo, the ships patrolled 200 miles of coastline and waters off shore, stretching from the Ivory Coast’s principal port
Spanish frigate ESPS Santa Maria completed her six month deployment with operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia and handed over her duties to another Spanish warship, ESPS Relampago, on October 24. During her deployment, ESPS Santa Maria conducted patrols at sea in the Gulf of Aden and Indian O
Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Portland is currently in Simonstown, South Africa, where the crew started their month-long break during a nine-month deployment. After adding 18,000 miles to her odometer in a patrol which has taken the frigate from Plymouth, through the Mediterranean, Suez and Strai
French Navy’s stealth frigate La Fayette was recently welcomed into the port of Mombasa, Kenya in what was the first visit of an EU Naval Force ship to the Kenyan port in over a year. FS La Fayette is currently deployed to Operation Atalanta contributing to counter-piracy activities off the Horn of
Spanish Navy offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Relámpago, departed its homeport of Las Palmas Naval Station in Canary Islands to integrate into EUNAVFOR’s counter-piracy operation Atalanta. Relámpago will join the Spanish frigate Santa Maria which is already part of the mission. Currently commanded by Du
