On Monday, 24 February, the Council of the European Union decided to extend the EU naval operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES for an additional year following a strategic review. The Council also approved a financial reference amount of nearly €15 million to cover operational costs.
ASPIDES is an EU naval mission designed to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters in response to threats against merchant and commercial vessels. European military assets provide defensive maritime security, protect vessels, and contribute to stability along key maritime routes in accordance with international law. The operation was originally established in February 2024 in response to the Red Sea crisis triggered by Houthi attacks on international shipping that began in October 2023.
The mission operates along critical sea lines of communication, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Gulf. Despite comprising only three naval units, Operation ASPIDES underscores the EU’s commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and the protection of global trade flows. The mission is aligned with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2722, which demands an end to Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels.
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Sea lines of communication (SLOCs) are maritime routes used to transport goods, resources and supplies between ports and regions. They are essential to international trade and economic activity, making their security important for ensuring the continued movement of commercial shipping.
Like many EU military operations, ASPIDES is conducted under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the Union’s primary framework for defence cooperation and crisis management. Such operations require unanimous approval by the Council of the European Union and rely on capabilities contributed by EU Member States.
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The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is the EU framework for cooperation on security and defence, allowing member states to undertake joint civilian and military missions abroad. These missions can support peacekeeping, conflict prevention, crisis management, maritime security and post-conflict stabilization.
ASPIDES is one of eight ongoing military operations under the CSDP. Other missions are deployed in Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique), Somalia (EUTM Somalia), the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA), Libya (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI), the Horn of Africa (Operation Atalanta), the Gulf of Guinea (EU SDI), Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea). These missions cover a broad spectrum of activities, including security sector reform, capacity building, maritime security, humanitarian support, conflict prevention and post conflict stabilization.
As Europe strengthens its security capabilities and advances its strategic autonomy, it remains to be seen whether additional CSDP missions will be launched or whether new mechanisms will emerge to coordinate joint European military operations abroad. Although the current missions are significant, they remain limited in scale compared to those of other major powers. If Europe intends to assume greater responsibility on the geopolitical stage, a corresponding increase in resources and political commitment will be required.
Sources: European Comission, EEAS, EEAS, Council of the European Union
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