Story perspectives

Kaja Kallas Says Operation Aspides Needs More Warships

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 9:56 AM UTC · How we work

Center

EU states withhold assets

On 21 September 2026, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Operation Aspides mission in the Red Sea needs more than ten warships.
Kallas noted EU member states have not provided the ships or air assets she requested in a September 19 letter.
Operation Aspides, launched February 2024, can use force to protect vessels from Houthi attacks.
Fleet includes three Italian and Greek ships, plus vessels from Germany, France and Spain.

Right

Italy Blames EU

On 21 September 2026, Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Operation Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea requires more than ten warships.
Italy plans to place its Aspides ships under national command, blaming EU bureaucracy and demanding protection for its merchant vessels.
Kaja Kallas noted only six warships are currently operating in the Red Sea under Aspides.
Defence minister Guido Crosetto said Italy could add a second frigate if the mission requests it.

Blindspot

The Houthis have seized Mocha, Perim Island and the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands, expanding their surveillance capability around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, according to EU officials.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The EU launched Operation Atalanta on 8 December 2008 to protect World Food Programme vessels and deter Somali piracy. Over time the European Union’s mandate expanded and now runs until 28 February 2027. Today, citing this legacy, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas urges Operation Aspides to deploy more regional warships in the Red Sea.

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EU states withhold assets

On 21 September 2026, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Operation Aspides mission in the Red Sea needs more than ten warships.
Kallas noted EU member states have not provided the ships or air assets she requested in a September 19 letter.
Operation Aspides, launched February 2024, can use force to protect vessels from Houthi attacks.
Fleet includes three Italian and Greek ships, plus vessels from Germany, France and Spain.

1 / 4