The European Union military operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, launched in response to the Red Sea crisis, aims to achieve maritime presence and situational awareness in the area of operations and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in cooperation with like-minded maritime security actors. The main tasks of the operation are to protect vessels from attack and to escort them throughout the area of operations, thereby ensuring the security of vessels and freedom of navigation. The ultimate objective of the operation is to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. The operation is strictly defensive in natuure – no offensive strikes will be conducted, including against land targets.
Estonia is participating in the European Union operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES with one member of the Defence Forces.