Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Italy Says EU Red Sea Mission Needs More Warships
Italy says a European naval mission in the Red Sea does not yet have enough ships.
The mission is called Aspides.
Its job is to help protect merchant ships from attacks.
The attacks have been linked to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis.
Italy wants other European countries to send more ships and equipment.
Some countries have agreed to provide additional assets, but their names were not given.
Kaja Kallas said the mission needs more than 10 warships, while diplomats said six are currently deployed.
Italy also said it may send its own ships to help avoid delays.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said contributions to the EU’s Aspides naval mission remain insufficient to guarantee safe passage for merchant vessels.
Crosetto welcomed some member states’ decisions to provide additional assets, but did not identify the countries involved.
Italy has urged allies to increase their involvement and said it is prepared to deploy its own ships to avoid delays from EU decision-making.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Aspides would need more than 10 warships to perform its mission effectively.
Aspides was launched in 2024 to protect commercial shipping from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis; diplomats said six warships are currently deployed.
- Who
- Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, EU member states, and the Aspides naval mission.
- What
- Italy said contributions to the EU mission protecting Red Sea shipping remain insufficient.
- When
- The statement was issued after a meeting in Rome on October 2; Aspides was launched in 2024.
- Where
- The Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with the statement issued in Rome.
- Why
- To improve protection for merchant vessels from attacks linked to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis and help ensure safe passage.
Italy’s assessment
EU mission response
Number of naval assets
Italy’s assessment
Guido Crosetto said current contributions remain insufficient to guarantee safe passage for merchant vessels.
EU mission response
Kaja Kallas said Aspides needs more than 10 warships, and some EU member states have agreed to contribute additional assets.
National deployments
Italy’s assessment
Italy said it is prepared to deploy its own ships to avoid delays caused by EU decision-making.
EU mission response
The mission is receiving additional contributions from some member states, although the countries were not identified.
- Mission
- European Union naval mission Aspides
- Launch date
- 2024
- Current deployment
- Diplomats said six warships are currently deployed
- Stated requirement
- Kaja Kallas said more than 10 warships are needed
- Primary concern
- Safe passage for merchant vessels through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Italian position
- Existing contributions remain insufficient
- Possible Italian action
- Italy said it was ready to deploy its own ships