On 21 September 2026, EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas called for member states to provide additional naval and air assets for Operation Aspides, requesting more than 10 warships to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks. The mission currently operates six warships.
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EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas has asked the 27 member states to provide more naval and air assets for Operation Aspides, the bloc’s mission protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and nearby waters. Her Sept. 19 letter followed Italy’s request for reinforcements after an Italian frigate escorted an Italian merchant vessel off Yemen; Kallas said the mission needs greater capacity for cl
EU's Kallas says Red Sea mission needs more than 10 warships Reuters
NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea would need more than 10 warships, its foreign policy chief said on Monday, adding that for now there weren’t that many in the area. "When Aspides (the EU military operation) was put in place, then the indication was that it needs at least 10 ships. The situation, I think, is even more grave right now," she told reporte
By John Valera NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The European Union's naval mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea would need to boost its numbers to more than 10 warships, its foreign policy chief said on Monday, adding that for now there were not that many in the area. The EU's Aspides mission was launched in 2024 to protect shipping from attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, and diplomats ha