Yesterday in Djibouti, the European Multi Mission Frigate (FREMM) "Carlo Margottini" assumed the role of Flag Ship of the “EUNAVFOR Atalanta” operation, a role he will maintain until next 5 August. Vessel captain Simone Malvagna assumed the role of Force Commander of the entire naval force in which several countries of the European Union participate.
The "EUNAVFOR Atalanta" operation, decided by the European Council in 2008, is in fact the first European-led maritime military operation with the aim of preventing and suppressing acts of piracy in the Horn of Africa area (Red Sea , Gulf of Aden and Somali basin) which continue to represent a threat to the freedom of navigation of merchant traffic and in particular to the transport of humanitarian aid from the World Food Program.
The tasks of this operation include the activities of the Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB), ie training for local armed forces and police forces to enable them to develop and transmit the knowledge necessary to operate independently in the fight against illegal activities between such as piracy.
The frigate Margottini, which participates for the first time in the mission Atalanta, is the third FREMM unit delivered to the Navy on 27 February 2014 in the “antisubmarine” version and is equipped with the latest generation of weapons, defense and discovery systems, at the forefront of both the military and civilian fields. Left on 20 February from the port of La Spezia, before heading to the Atalanta area of operations, it carried out a naval campaign in the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, aimed at ensuring presence, maritime surveillance, strengthening cooperation activities already in progress with some trans-regional allies and initiate relations with new potential partners of our country, within the framework of the institutional tasks entrusted to the Armed Force.
During the campaign, Nave Margottini he also represented the Navy at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX 18) in Qatar.
In the coming months, during the stops in the various ports, the Nave crew Margottini he will also be involved in CiMiC (Civilian and Military Cooperation) activities, in order to provide support to local populations.
