Latest news with #AntonioMarceglia
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Spanish and Italian Navy ships engage in tactical exercises with Indian Navy in Mumbai
New Delhi [India], June 1 (ANI): ESPS Reina Sofia, commanded by Cdr Salvador Moreno Regil, Spanish Navy and ITS Antonio Marceglia, commanded by Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo, Italian Navy, are in Mumbai from 26 May to 1 June 2025 for an operational turnaround. Both ships currently operate under the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). It is the first such visit to India conducted under the aegis of the European Union. It is a follow-up to the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, highlighting their shared commitment towards international peace and security. The EUNAVFOR side, led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander, Op Atalanta, interacted with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy at the Headquarters, Western Naval Command and discussed matters related to furthering maritime cooperation between the two sides. Both sides agreed on the need for extended cooperation in the military domain, and the meeting was a stepping stone for expanding avenues of cooperation between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR. During the ships' stay in harbour, activities such as Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and a Table Top Exercise (TTX) were conducted between the two sides, aimed at refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea. Both sides benefitted immensely from the exchanges on experiences gained during Anti-Piracy and Anti-Smuggling operations. The harbour engagements laid the foundation for the Joint Exercise between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR which is planned post-departure of the ships from Mumbai on 1 June. The exercise at sea will see participation by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR and ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. The complex tactical exercises are aimed at enhancing the interoperability between the two sides and will enable seamless operations when deployed for combating non-traditional threats in the Indian Ocean Region. Both India and the EU share a strong commitment towards a rules-based maritime order, allowing for free and open use of international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states. The current visit embodies the shared interest of safeguarding legitimate trade and countering non-traditional threats such as piracy, smuggling, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which also reflects the discussions undertaken during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in New Delhi in March 2025. These maritime engagements would further strengthen the increasing multi-domain cooperation between India and EU, with a common aim of progressing shared interests. (ANI)
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
India, European Union Naval Force plan joint naval exercise
The Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) will hold a joint exercise at sea soon. The exercise will see the participation of ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR, as well as ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. The complex tactical exercises are aimed at enhancing the interoperability between the two sides and enabling seamless operations when deployed for combating non-traditional threats such as piracy and smuggling in the Indian Ocean Region, according to a release. In the run-up to the exercise, ESPS Reina Sofia, commanded by Commander Salvador Moreno Regil of the Spanish Navy, and ITS Antonio Marceglia, commanded by Cdr Alberto Bartolomeo of the Italian Navy, were in Mumbai from May 26 to June 1 on a short port visit. Both ships presently operate under EUNAVFOR. 'The visit is significant as it is their first such visit to India under the aegis of the European Union,' the release said. Shared goal The development was a follow-up to the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting their shared commitment towards international peace and security. The EUNAVFOR side led by Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, Force Commander, Op Atalanta, interacted with Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy, at the Western Naval Command headquarters, and held discussions on furthering maritime cooperation between the two sides. Boosting cooperation Both the naval forces also took part in some harbour engagements. 'Both sides agreed on the need for extended cooperation in the military domain, and the meeting was a stepping stone for expanding avenues of cooperation between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR. During the ships' stay in harbour, activities such as subject matter expert exchanges and a table-top exercise were conducted between the two sides, aimed at refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea,' it said. 'Both India and EU share a strong commitment towards rules-based maritime order, allowing for free and open use of international waters while respecting the territorial integrity of littoral states,' said the release. The current visit embodies the shared interest of safeguarding legitimate trade and countering non-traditional threats such as piracy and unregulated fishing. It is also in line with the discussions undertaken during the 4th India-EU Maritime Security Dialogue, held in Delhi in March 2025. 'These maritime engagements will further strengthen the multi-domain cooperation between India and the EU,' it said.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Allies Flex Naval Muscles Near China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan, a key United States treaty ally in Northeast Asia, conducted a naval exercise in the contested South China Sea with two NATO member states, the United Kingdom and Italy. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China's sovereignty claims over the South China Sea, which are based on what it calls "historic rights" and cover most of the waters, overlap with those of several neighboring countries. The U.S. and its allies, including the Philippines, which has territorial disputes with China, have been carrying out naval war games in the South China Sea, exercising the freedom of navigation in international waters. Chinese warships often keep tabs on the allied exercises. What To Know The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said on Wednesday that a multilateral naval drill was held at an undisclosed location in the South China Sea on May 3 with the Royal Navy and the Italian Navy, strengthening cooperation to promote a "free and open" Indo-Pacific. Participating ships were the Japanese frigate JS Yahagi, the British patrol ship HMS Spey, and the Italian frigate ITS Antonio Marceglia. The drill, which focused on maneuvering, aimed to enhance cooperation between the three navies and to improve Japan's capabilities. The Japanese frigate JS "Yahagi," left, the British patrol ship HMS "Spey," middle, and the Italian frigate ITS "Antonio Marceglia" sail in formation in the South China Sea on May 3, 2025. The Japanese frigate JS "Yahagi," left, the British patrol ship HMS "Spey," middle, and the Italian frigate ITS "Antonio Marceglia" sail in formation in the South China Sea on May 3, 2025. Italian Navy Official released photos show the three naval vessels sailed in formation, while no Chinese vessels, neither assigned to the country's navy, which is currently the largest in the world by hull count, nor attached to the powerful coast guard, were seen in the nearby waters. Japan has long viewed the South China Sea issue as a legitimate concern of the international community. It has frequently dispatched its fleet of naval ships to the region, including the visit of a China-funded naval base in Cambodia by its two minesweeping vessels last month. For the two European warships, the Spey is one of two Royal Navy vessels deployed to the Indo-Pacific region. It will soon be met with a naval strike group led by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in the region, which was deployed for an eight-month mission. The Antonio Marceglia left Italy in January for an Indo-Pacific deployment. In late April, it monitored and surveilled "illicit activities" carried out by North Korean vessels, which are banned by the United Nations Security Council resolutions, in Japan's surrounding waters. In late April, Italian Navy frigate ANTONIO MARCEGLIA conducted 2nd monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with DPRK vessels prohibited by — MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) May 2, 2025 What People Are Saying The Japanese Foreign Ministry said: "Japan expresses serious concern over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions in the South China Sea and urges de-escalation of the tensions." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "We are concerned by dangerous and destabilizing activities by China in the South China Sea. The U.K. and world economy depends on these trade routes being safe and secure." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: "[G7 Foreign Ministers] reaffirmed that there is no legal basis for China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and they reiterated their opposition to China's militarization and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the British carrier strike group will carry out any war games when it reaches the South China Sea. China previously denounced naval activities carried out by foreign countries in the region for undermining its maritime rights and interests.
