VICEMIRANTE IGNACIO VILLANUEVA SERRANO VISITING IFC-II. April 17, 2025. | Photo credit: x/@ifc_ior
The Atalanta Operation of the Naval Force of the European Union (Eunavfor), which operates in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, has proposed a joint exercise with the Navy of India towards the end of May, its commander of Operation Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Villanueva
When visiting India to improve cooperation, he pointed out that, although piracy outside the horn of Africa saw a resurgence last year in the midst of hutis rebel attacks in the Red Sea, it has recently decreased, although the “threat remains.”
In statements to journalists, Vice Admiral Serrano declared: “I made a proposal to the Indian authorities of the Navy and India to do an exercise at the end of May. If finally it is approved, I will send two ships to Mumbai for this exercise, to practice and improve coordination and cooperation.” He stressed that the main objective of his visit to New Delhi and Mumbai was to reinforce coordination with the Indian Navy to guarantee maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
The proposition exercise aims to go beyond the routine passage exercises (Passex) that the two armed ones, which are generally limited in scale. “The proposed exercise will be more advanced and will focus on the operations of counterattack, tactical maneuvers and communications,” said Vice Admiral Serrano.
He highlighted the shared interest in maintaining the Indian Ocean as a “free, open, sustainable and inclusive area free of danger.” “We are in the area, both, we have assets in the area, one through Atalanta and one through the Navy of India, and now the rest makes logic. We need to coordinate positions and actions, and there are the situation, the vice for coordination.” Aggregate.
The Atalanta Begen operation in 2008, focused mainly on preventing piracy and armed handbug in front of the Somali coast. Since then, its mandate has expanded to include the protection of the World Food and other Vulnerable Shipping Ships; Contributing to the implementation of the embargo on Somalia; And monitor narcotics traffic, arms trafficking, illegal fishing, not reported and not regulated (IUU), and the illicit trade of coal, among other tasks.
Regarding the recent piracy incidents near the horn of Africa, the commander said that piracy efforts serve as a D -Subject. “With the assets we have in the area, we can address any pirate case within 48-72 hours after the event,” he said.
Citing the kidnapping of the MV of the commercial boat Blush As an example of successful coordination with India, Vice Admiral Serrano said the forces were effective. “Coordination always has a good and very professional leg, and we want to keep it that way. I recognize the Indian navy as an important actor in the area. We will complement [each other] And it will definitely be efficient working together, “he said.
Reiterating the objective of his visit, Vice Admiral Serrano said: “We discussed many operational problems, including piracy, and we are ready to continue working together.” Earlier on Thursday, he visited the Information Fusion Center of the Indian Navy for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-II) in Gurugram, recognizing regular coordination between the maritime centers on both sides.
He pointed out that complex antipirable efforts led to the shave of 70 Pirates of the Subpeed last year, with the Navy of India representing 44 captures. While piracy beyond the territorial waters of Somalia has decreased, he warned: “The threat is still there … but we will fight.”
When asked about the interactions with the Chinese Navy, which maintains a presence (including a nuclear motor attack submarine) in the region since 2008, apparently for antipiratería operations, the Vice -Eat of the sea described in the sea as “professional”.
He identified the immensity of the Indian Ocean region as a great challenge, which requires significant assets and robust logistics. “Being cooperation and associations are required,” he is underlined.
Vice Admiral Serrano affirmed Europe’s long -term commitment to the security of the region, stating: “Europe is a good long -term partner and Europe should work to maintain this free and open area.”
Published – April 18, 2025 2:27 am isth
