Operation Aspides: Italy takes over from Greece in command of the EU mission in the Red Sea

Rear Admiral Quondamatteo assumes tactical command

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Djibouti, 2 July 2025. The handover ceremony between Greek Rear Admiral Michail Pantouvakis and Italian Rear Admiral Andrea Quondamatteo, who will lead the European naval force in the coming months, took place on board the destroyer Andrea Doria. Civilian and military representatives were present, including EU Ambassador Denis Elena Ionete, French Ambassador Dana Purcarescu and the Head of Operations of the Joint Forces Operational Command (COVI), Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino.

Active since February 2024 and recently extended until 2026, Operation Aspides aims to ensure freedom of navigation and protect commercial shipping routes in a vast area comprising the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

The mission is a defensive maritime security operation, conducted in accordance with international maritime law and in line with the European Maritime Security Strategy 2023. Tactical command is entrusted to a joint Force Headquarters composed of eight member countries: Italy, Greece, France, Belgium, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia and Germany. Air and naval assets are provided by Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The European intervention has reduced the risk to ships in transit and helped to restore security along one of the main arteries of global maritime trade.