• The Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) conducted a joint exercise in the Indian Ocean. 

• The exercise involved Indian Navy frigate Trikand and one auxiliary ship, alongside two frigates from the EU NAVFOR Atalanta, namely the Italian ship Antonio Marceglia and the Spanish ship ESPS Reina Sofia. 

• Their respective air assets also supported the ships, which enhances surveillance and ability to respond rapidly to a changing situation at sea. An Indian Maritime Patrol aircraft joined the event as well.

• The main objective of the exercise was to simulate a scenario where a merchant vessel suffered a piracy attack and test how Atalanta and India could cooperate.

• The exercise was aimed at refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea. 

• Both sides benefited immensely from the exchanges on experiences gained during anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations. 

• It allowed them to practice tactical manoeuvres and communication protocols, which are crucial when facing various threats in the Horn of Africa and western Indian Ocean. 

• The exercise and port call were planned by Atalanta operation headquarters based in Rota, Spain.

• The exercise took place in the Indian Ocean, a vital maritime corridor for global trade and security.

• Deterring and tackling traditional and emerging threats, such as counter-narcotics, arms smuggling, or illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are key priorities both for the EU and India.

• India and the EU share strategic interests rooted in respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, democracy, the rule of law, and the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

• These maritime engagements would further strengthen the increasing multi-domain cooperation between India and EU, with a common aim of progressing shared interests.

What is EU NAVFOR?

• The European Union Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) - Operation Atalanta was launched on December 8, 2008 in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions to deter, prevent and repress piracy and to protect vulnerable vessels and humanitarian shipments off the coast of Somalia. 

• Since its inception in 2008, the mandate of Operation Atalanta has constantly been adapted to reflect the situation at sea and support the EU Integrated Approach to Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

• The European Union was concerned with the Somali-based piracy and armed robbery at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean. Somali based piracy is characterised by criminals taking control of vessels transiting the High Risk Area in the Region and extorting ransom money for the crew, the vessel and cargo.

• Crews held hostage by pirates often face a prolonged period of captivity, the average being 5 months (145 days) but some hostages have been held for almost three years (1001 days). Moreover, piracy impacts on international trade and maritime security and on the economic activities and security of countries in the region.

• At the height of Somali piracy in January 2011, as many as 736 hostages and 32 ships were being held by pirates.

• With Atalanta being part of the EU’s integrated approach to the Horn of Africa, the Operation supports its sister missions EUCAP-Somalia and EUTM-Somalia, maintains close linkages with EU representations across the area and contributes to the implementation of EU programmes aimed to enhance the regional maritime security architecture.

Area of Operations:

i) Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman)

ii) Somali Basin

iii) The Red Sea

iv) Gulf of Suez

v) Gulf of Aqaba.

• Within the area of operations, EU NAVFOR units conduct tasks in accordance with the mandate. Close co-operation with the World Food Programme (WFP) ensures that no vessel transporting humanitarian aid will travel unprotected in the Area of Operations.

• EU NAVFOR assets also conduct patrols in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

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