Italy assumed command of the European military mission "Atalanta". The aim is to guarantee the security of the trade routes on the Red Sea, for which Rome has planned the continuous deployment of at least one ship in the Middle East for 12 months. In detail, the Counter admiral of the Italian Navy, Francesco Saladino, with the multi-mission frigate "Federico Martinengo", took command from Commodore Rogério Martins de Brito of the Portuguese Navy.

"There will be a minimum of three European naval units, intelligence and logistical support, and we evaluate the possibility of offering air assets with surveillance capabilities", declares the Italian Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, interviewed by the Italian newspaper "La Verità".

It will be a defensive mission "because Italy -adds the member of the Executive- cannot attack a sovereign territory if it is not attacked, if an invaded or attacked sovereign friendly state does not ask us for help, or if there is no international resolution of condemnation which allows an attack. Obviously, if the ships are attacked, the Italian forces will defend themselves". 

On the same topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.