Operation ATALANTA conducted the “ALDABRA III” exercise in coordination with Seychelles and the Djibouti Code of Conduct. This advanced training activity aimed at promoting cooperation among the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA, Seychelles and partners in the Indian Ocean.
The “ALDABRA III" exercise was carried out in Seychelles from 30 September to 04 October. It comprised a theoretical phase and a practical phase where representatives from EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the Seychelles Defense Forces, Djibouti Code of Conduct, the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) based in Victoria, the Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) took part sharing their knowledge and experiences on Maritime Security in the North-Western Indian Ocean.
The theoretical phase consisted of a legal seminar and different workshops with theory and practice to better understand the scope of maritime security. The legal seminar focused on the legal basis for international maritime operations, counter piracy and the right for flag verification with the participation of ATALANTA and UNODC representatives.
This phase was complemented by a series of panels and lectures on maritime domain awareness, including the use of the IORIS Platform from CRIMARIO II as a tool for information management; and maritime security operations with specific practical workshops on First Aids, Damage Control, the use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in maritime operations, Search and Rescue (SAR) at sea and theory in Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Operations.
On the other hand, the Special Forces from Seychelles and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA had specific theoretical and combined joint exercises with Advance Close Quarter Battle, Tactical Combat Casualty scenarios and shooting exercises to improve combat shooting techniques among other things.
During the last day, as part of the practical phase, a combined joint maritime interdiction operation involving EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ESPS NUMANCIA, Seychelles’ and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA special operations units and air surveillance unit (Scan Eagle) took place.
“Achieving maritime security is crucial. In this process, the development of interoperability between actors in the area is fundamental and this event, ALDABRA III, represents a clear opportunity to build and strengthen our share vision of maritime security” highlighted Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Rear Admiral Manuel Alvargonzález during the Opening Ceremony of ALDABRA III.
