The prospective European Union naval operation in the Red Sea is taking shape, even though no formal decision had been announced by the Twenty-Seven on Monday. The prevailing position is that the EU should be present in the region, and military planners are moving ahead with preparations. Diplomatic sources indicate that at least six European countries have signaled they intend to participate. Germany, Italy, and Belgium are among the nations showing interest. The mission’s approval was anticipated at the foreign ministers’ meeting on February 19, contingent on proxy arrangements to safeguard commercial shipping, with potential actions including drone and missile interception at sea. The trigger for this effort has been the Houthi aggression in Yemen.
The Heads of State and government are pursuing an accelerated timeline. The EU’s Political and Security Committee (COPS) convened this week to outline needs, while member states await guidance from military experts on operational details and the required force posture. A senior official noted, “Progress is steady. The central challenge is how quickly the mission can be launched. Every day gained helps, so speed will shape decisions.” The emphasis is on practical and rapid deployment, with early participants identified as frontrunners.
Sources describe a broad consensus to use the operation as a pragmatic starting point for action among member states. The initiative mirrors aspects of a maritime surveillance mission previously conducted under Operation Ajanor, which runs for three years to safeguard navigation between the Iranian-controlled Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. Current contributors include Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal, with France leading the effort. The plan is to adapt this framework to the Red Sea while maintaining a clear focus on deterrence and resilience rather than occupying territory.
Employing this established pathway could reduce setup time and accelerate launch. While no deadline was publicly fixed, a senior European official suggested that productive talks could bring the operation online soon. Belgium has confirmed its intent to deploy the frigate Luisa María, a decision also under consideration for other participating states. Germany indicated that if the Bundestag delays, a frigate already deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean might be redirected to the Red Sea. Additional contributors reportedly include France and Italy, with Norway also showing potential involvement.
administrative mission
The proposal advanced by the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, envisions an administrative mission that could authorize the use of force in certain scenarios. Yet several sources stress that the operation would not target Yemeni territory directly, aligning with the caution exercised by the United States and the United Kingdom during similar operations in the Gulf. The core intent is to respond to rockets and drones aimed at ships, reinforcing maritime safety and freedom of navigation. Spain looks to a frigate it has long operated off the Somali coast as a model, though participants acknowledge this mission is markedly more complex and requires careful planning.
As with the previous December discussions, Borrell has floated the possibility of extending the initial mandate. Spain, however, has indicated hesitation about broad participation in a broader operation, while noting that it remains engaged in other missions. The Spanish government reiterated that participation is conditional on national commitments and constraints, emphasizing that diversification of missions cannot come at the expense of core priorities.
Beyond the Red Sea initiative, foreign ministers planned to discuss the broader Middle East situation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during a Brussels meeting. Several foreign ministers, including Israeli and Palestinian delegates, were prepared to join discussions on the Loop and West Bank, post-conflict planning, and the future role of the Palestinian Authority. The talks were also expected to address new sanctions against Hamas and measures to curb its financing, as well as to reassess the broader security landscape in the region. The gathering also aimed to review the latest developments in Ukraine and identify the most urgent military needs, with Kuleba among the participants delivering updates on regional security requirements. [Citation: European diplomatic sources]