September 2018

Providing lasting solutions against piracy for nations around the Horn Of Africa is one of EU NAVFOR’s main aims as a military force. In doing so we can provide nations with bespoke training to improve and enhance their skills and knowledge.

Developing partnerships with key nations in the area of operations ensures a clear focus on maintaining maritime security; this also allows us to share vital information and resources across a vast operational area.

Cooperation and coordination between the different partners operating in the Horn of Africa is of paramount importance in order to optimize their action and facilitate information sharing.

EU NAVFOR continues to encourage key partners in the region to coordinate efforts and to share information effectively about maritime security.

The German P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) has returned to Djibouti to re-join the fight against piracy being conducted by EU NAVFOR on Operation Atalanta.

Maritime training and exercises with Somali partners are an extremely important aspect of the European Union’s integrated approach to help develop the capabilities of local maritime forces and to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia.

With the longest coastline of continental Africa, Somalia has many maritime economic opportunities.

World Food Programme (WFP) shipping brings much needed and vital food aid to the region, keeping this safe keeps people alive.

To run a coherent operation, we must maintain lines of communications from all areas. This includes Somali government, EU sister and UN missions, as well as diplomatic and military representatives in the city of Mogadishu.

Operation Atalanta is fully committed to continuing international cooperation to extend the capability, reach and effectiveness of counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

Partnerships and cooperation are important more now than ever in maritime security operations. Working alongside our Japanese partners increases capability and reach as we continue to deter, disrupt and repress piracy.

Building and developing regional maritime capability is one of the key aims of EU NAVFOR; by sharing our expertise we promote lasting regional maritime solutions which will help to deter and prevent acts of piracy throughout the region.

One of Operation Atalanta’s main efforts is to protect vulnerable shipping carrying World Food Programme (WFP) aid to those who need it the most in Somalia and neighbouring countries.