Latest news with #EUNAVFOR
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)
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann takes over as Senior Air Staff Officer of Western Command
Air Marshal Jasvir Singh Mann took over as Senior Air Staff Officer of Western Air Command, Indian Air Force on Sunday. The Air Marshal is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the IAF on December 16, 1989. He has flown over 3,000 hours primarily on various types of fighter aircraft, said a statement. A pilot Attack Instructor in his operational career, Air Marshal Mann has commanded a fighter squadron, and has been Chief Operations Officer of a forward base and Air Officer Commanding of a premium fighter base. The IAF said he has also held various important appointments at Air Headquarters and Command Headquarters. The Air Officer directed Joint Military Training exercises with the Republic of Singapore Air Force in 2017 and the USAF in 2018. Air Marshal Mann held the appointments of Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration and Air Defence Commander of Central Air Command. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College and Royal College of Defence Studies, London (UK). Prior to taking over as Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command, Indian Air Force, he was Director General (Weapon Systems) at Air Headquarters. The Air Officer is a recipient of the Presidential awards 'Ati Vishist Seva Medal' and 'Vayu Sena Medal'. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry said in a statement that ships from the Spanish Navy and the Italian Navy operating under EUNAVFOR engaged in a Table Top Exercise in Mumbai. Both ships presently operate under the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). The visit is significant, being 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 EU President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting their shared commitment towards international peace and security. The exercise at sea saw participation by ESPS Reina Sofia and ITS Antonio Marceglia from EUNAVFOR and ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy, the statement said. The complex tactical exercises were 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, it said.
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.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Maritime security under threat from ‘emerging dangers,' UN chief warns
NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of rising threats to global maritime transport at a high-level Security Council meeting on Tuesday. It follows almost two years of turmoil in the Red Sea, a vital shipping lane connecting global trade via the Suez Canal. Yemen's Houthi militia launched a campaign in late 2023 to prevent Israel-linked shipping from transiting the Red Sea, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The US responded with Operation Prosperity Guardian, a military campaign to target Houthi launch sites and infrastructure. The EU contributed with EUNAVFOR Aspides, while Israel later responded to Houthi attacks with extensive strikes on Sanaa, Yemen's capital, and the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah. Tuesday's Security Council meeting was chaired by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister. Guterres told the meeting: 'Without maritime security, there can be no global security. 'From time immemorial, maritime routes have bound the world together. They have long been the primary means for the trade and transport of not only people, goods and commodities, but also cultures and ideas.' However, maritime spaces are 'increasingly under strain' from traditional threats and 'emerging dangers,' Guterres added. He highlighted contested boundaries, the depletion of natural resources, conflict and crime as key issues affecting maritime security. The first quarter of 2025 saw a 'sharp upward reversal' in reported piracy and armed robbery at sea, Guterres said. He highlighted the Houthi Red Sea campaign, warning it had 'disrupted global trade and increased tensions in an already volatile region.' Earlier this month, the US reached a ceasefire deal with the Houthis following mediation by Oman. However, the militia and Israel continue to trade strikes. Guterres called for three measures to improve global maritime security: Respect for international law; efforts to address the root causes of maritime insecurity; and partnerships involving 'everyone with a stake in maritime spaces.' The international legal framework for maritime security 'is only as strong as states' commitment' to its implementation, he said. Globally, more must be done 'to reduce the likelihood that desperate people will turn to crime and other activities that threaten maritime security,' he added. Guterres said: 'We must involve everyone with a stake in maritime spaces. From coastal communities to governments and regional groups. To shipping companies, flag registries, the fishing and extraction industries, insurers and port operators. 'Let's take action to support and secure maritime spaces, and the communities and people counting on them.'
Al Arabiya
18-03-2025
- Al Arabiya
Suspected pirates hijack Yemeni fishing boat off Somali waters: EU naval force
Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked a Yemeni-flagged fishing boat off the semi-autonomous Puntland region in northeast Somalia, the European Union's anti-piracy naval force said, the second such incident in as many months. Seven pirates boarded the vessel, which was carrying eight Somali crew members, EU NAVFOR said in a statement on Monday. 'The incident is under investigation and has been classified as hijack,' it said. In February, another Yemeni-flagged fishing vessel was hijacked in the same waters, the naval force said, before it was abandoned by alleged pirates. Somali pirates caused havoc in the waters off the Horn of Africa nation's long coastline between 2008 and 2018. They had been dormant until late 2023, when pirate activity started to pick up again.
