The European Union's military operation in the Red Sea faces problems due to insufficient forces: only three frigates are unable to reliably protect the merchant vessels from Hussite attacks in the Babel-Mandeb Strait. The mission commander, Vasilio Gryparis, warned that with such a limited contingent it is difficult to ensure effective protection of the courts against attacks.
According to him, in such circumstances, no more than four merchant vessels per day can be accompanied by no more than four sales vessels through the Babel-Mandebsk Strait off the coast of Yemen.
Successful execution of the mission requires at least ten warships and support from the air, such as drones or reconnaissance aircraft. During the first months of the EU's military mission in the Red Sea, 96 merchant vessels were accompanied and only 12 drones and one Hussite rocket and one rocket.
The commander also warned that the threat of Hussite's attack remains high. For example, on April 29, Hussites managed to overcome the air defense of the mission for the first time with switches and damage the trading vessel.
