NATO warships and aircraft have deployed to the Central Mediterranean as part of NATO’s maritime security operation, Operation Sea Guardian.
The flagship of the Hellenic Navy frigate Salamis and the Croatian Navy missile boat Dubrovnik, supported by aircraftand submarines from Greece, Italy and Turkey, deployed to the area say NATO.
“NATO Operation Sea Guardian is a year-round, proactive and forward-looking 360 commitment of up-keeping deterrence on terrorism and illegal activities. This operation is also a fusion of information to create a comprehensive picture of daily activities in the Mediterranean, and NATO Maritime Command serves as the hub of maritime security information sharing for the Alliance.
The second OSG Focused Operation for 2021 focuses on the Central Mediterranean, with a planned port visit to Tunis, Tunisia. Turkish and Spanish special operations forces support in stand-by under the OSG Special Operations Command and Control Element (SOCCE). Due to COVID measures, all in-person interactions have been scaled down to protect the crew and the mission.”
NATO add that the operation remains one of the most important tools for NATO “projecting stability throughout the Mediterranean Sea” and sustaining maritime situational awareness. Focused patrols of NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian help NATO maintain an accurate maritime picture of daily activity in the focused areas of the Mediterranean Sea and is an opportunity to increase cooperation and interoperability.
