EU diplomat seeks more warships for Red Sea mission

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that two unnamed countries have signaled interest in providing additional warships to reinforce Operation Aspides. The mission, designed to protect commercial shipping from Iran-backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, is currently facing a shortage of vessels.

Kallas noted that commercial ships are currently “waiting in the queue to receive the escort” because the mission lacks sufficient frigates to meet demand. While the operation currently relies primarily on vessels from Italy and Greece, Kallas indicated that at least 10 ships may be necessary to effectively manage the security requirements.

To address the shortage, Kallas suggested that resources originally earmarked for a separate, non-operational coalition intended for the Strait of Hormuz could be redirected to the Red Sea. France has already deployed an additional frigate and called for further reinforcements, while the United Kingdom has offered aircraft support. The increased Houthi activity has raised concerns regarding energy supply stability and inflation across Europe.