Belgium to deploy frigate to Red Sea for EU mission

Belgium will deploy one of its two frigates to participate in the EU naval operation Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said.

“Belgium will deploy a frigate as part of the EU's Aspides mission,” he told reporters upon arriving at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Cyprus.

EU member states are also discussing the possibility of modifying the mission’s mandate. Under the proposal, the operation could be redirected from the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz to support mine-clearing activities. However, such a move would only be considered after a peace agreement is reached between the United States and Iran.

The Belgian Navy currently operates two frigates, Leopold I and Louise-Marie, which are regularly used in EU and NATO operations and exercises.

By Jeyhun Aghazada