Colombia Navy to support EU anti-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean

: Posted On Wednesday, 04 March 2015 12:11

Naval Forces News - Colombia / EUNAVFOR

Colombia Navy to support EU anti-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean

According to Bruxelles2 information website, the European Union mission to prevent and combat acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean (EUNAVFOR Atalanta) could receive some support from Colombia. Indeed, Bogota informed the EU about its interest to be present by its side on the Indian Ocean. This contribution is strongly support by Madrid.

Almirante Padilla-class frigate of Colombia Navy

Colombian Navy would make available a frigate and a light intervention vessel. This would certainly be a first both on European collaboration with the Latin American countries and on anti-piracy fight. It remains an important formality to fill in: signed a framework agreement with the European Union. This must be quickly done because the relevant frigate is available until summer.

Another frigate could soon join the anti-piracy operation, this one from South Korea. Korean vessels are generally more involved in the US-led mission conduct by CTF-151. Participation in a European mission would be a first also for Koreans.

This third-country engagement is not new. Norway and Ukraine (1 frigate), New Ealand (patrol aircraft) have already contributed to the European operation off Somalia. But with Colombia and South Korea, we have more "exotic" collaborations when the threat of Somali piracy has largely decreased from the peaks observed in 2010-2012.The EUNAVFOR operation becomes an important instrument of European naval diplomacy.