Aysu Bicer
February 23, 2026•Update: February 23, 2026
LONDON
The EU has extended the mandate of its “Aspides” naval mission in the Red Sea until Feb. 28, 2027, the bloc announced on Monday.
In a statement, the EU Council said the operation launched in February 2024 to safeguard freedom of navigation would continue for a further two years.
Member states also agreed to allocate €15 million ($18 million) to cover the mission’s common costs for the period from March 1, 2026, to Feb. 28, 2027.
The mission was set up in response to heightened security concerns affecting commercial shipping routes in the region. Its mandate includes protecting vessels and ensuring safe passage through key maritime corridors.
Aspides mission operates in international waters across the Red Sea and surrounding areas, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz – two of the world’s most strategically significant chokepoints for global trade.
Headquartered in Larissa, the mission is commanded by Greek Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis.
EU officials say the operation aims to deter attacks on commercial shipping and reinforce international maritime security in the region.
