The European counter-piracy operation has gradually increased its resources since its start-up in early December 2008. Commencing with three to four warships, it had a dozen or so ships (German, Spanish, French, Swedish, Italian and Greek) and three aircraft at the end of May this year. Although the figure varies day by day, the operation mobilises an average of six or seven European ships (frigates and a supply vessel), around ten helicopters (each frigate is equipped with one or two helicopters) and two maritime surveillance aircraft.

Most EU countries are taking part in the operation, including all the states with a navy (Spain, France, Greece, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands). Portugal is a noteworthy exception. The other countries are participating by contributing officers to the military staff (Finland, Latvia, Romania). In addition, several non-EU countries have already decided to take part (Norway) or are considering taking part in the operation (Switzerland).

The logistics base (FHQ Log) is situated at the military airport in Djibouti (25 men headed by a British national) and the port of Djibouti. It has the support of the European troops based in the area: France has a permanent base (more than 2,000 troops, transport and fighter aircraft, ships) and Germany also maintains a logistics detachment in the context of Operation Enduring Freedom.

As with other military operations, Denmark is not participating. This is paradoxical considering that its navy, which is present in the Combined Task Force (CTF) coalition, is one of the most active in combating piracy. However, in the absence of the necessary legal framework, pirates who are caught generally end up being released (unless another state requests a transfer, which was the case for the Netherlands in early January after interception of the Samanyulo, a vessel registered in the Dutch Antilles).

COMMAND

The operation is commanded by a small multinational military staff headed by a British rear admiral (Philip Jones for the first six months, followed by Peter D. Hudson), assisted by a deputy - French Rear Admiral Jean-Pierre Labonne (for the first six months) and German Squadron Admiral Torsten Kähler (for the following six months). The command transfer will take place in early June.

The operation headquarters (OHQ) are in Northwood (25 miles north of London), which is also home to the joint command of British forces overseas (Iraq, Afghanistan) and one of NATO’s interallied maritime commands.

In the region, naval forces are commanded directly from one of the frigates, with a rotation among several countries. After Greek Commodore Antonios Papaioannou, who commanded from December to March from the Greek frigate Psara, a Spaniard, Juan Garat Caramé, took over in April 2009. In August of this year he will pass on the command to a Dutch officer.

FINANCING

The operation is financed principally by the member states. A maritime patrol vessel, such as an Orion, with its crew and maintenance, is estimated to cost €30 million for a full year (according to the Spaniards). A frigate (in the German budget) comes to around €40 million for a full year. The operation’s total budget therefore amounts to around €300 million. The Athena solidarity mechanism covers only a small fraction of the costs (military staff costs): €8.3 million.

MARITIME SECURITY CENTRE

In parallel with the military operation proper, the European Union has set up a Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA). It is under the authority of the rear admiral commanding the operation and based at the OHQ in Northwood.

The objective is to assist vessels in the Gulf of Aden and in the waters of Somalia and the Horn of Africa by providing real-time information on possible risks in these waters and all information and advice likely to reduce the danger of pirate attacks. The MSC-HOA thus advises owners or skippers to register via a secure website the position of their vessels, their route and cargo, so as to be capable of identifying the vessels that need specific assistance and intervening quickly.

The centre can also provide real-time advice on attacks and on avoidance manoeuvres (use of fire fighting equipment, engine acceleration and zigzagging to create waves).

These arrangements are quite original. This is the first time an EU military operation has made openly available to the main economic stakeholders concerned a dedicated information and intelligence service. Merchant marine specialists also help man the centre, liaising between the maritime industry and the military forces operating in the region.

Other multinational forces

Several other multinational forces are present in the zone. Some are permanent and more or less specialised. The CTF151 coalition, headed by the Americans, includes Korean and Turkish vessels and is specifically dedicated to combating piracy. The others (CTF150, CTF152) are focused more on counter-terrorism as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Commanded in turn by a coalition member country (Denmark, France and Germany have successively been in command), they can nevertheless lend a hand to counter-piracy operations.

Many states — first of all Russia and India, joined by China, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Australia — have deployed vessels to the area. Coast guard vessels from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia (Puntland and Somaliland in particular) are also present.

NATO has decided to take advantage of the presence in the area, for port visits or routine manoeuvres several times a year, of vessels from one of its standing NATO maritime groups (SNMG). These will carry out a deterrence mission on both legs of their journey, to and from the zone, offering valuable support to the forces already present.