Story perspectives

Kaja Kallas urges EU to add warships for Aspides

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 2:59 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kaja Kallas urged EU states to add warships to Operation Aspides.
She sent a letter on September 19 to all 27 EU members requesting more naval and air assets.
EU diplomats report six warships are deployed below the ten-ship minimum.
The Council earmarked €15 million for common costs from March 1 2026 to February 28 2027.
Houthi advances that captured Mokha and threaten the Bab al-Mandeb prompted Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto to seek reinforcements.

History

Historical Context

The EU launched Operation Atalanta on 8 December 2008 to protect World Food Programme ships and curb Somali piracy, contributing to a sharp decline in attacks within two years. After its mandate broadened in 2022 to the West Indian Ocean and Red Sea, renewed threats in the Red Sea have prompted Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to call for expanding the Aspides deployment.

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Story summary

Kaja Kallas urged EU states to add warships to Operation Aspides.
She sent a letter on September 19 to all 27 EU members requesting more naval and air assets.
EU diplomats report six warships are deployed below the ten-ship minimum.
The Council earmarked €15 million for common costs from March 1 2026 to February 28 2027.
Houthi advances that captured Mokha and threaten the Bab al-Mandeb prompted Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto to seek reinforcements.

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