Austria will take part in the EU maritime mission in the Red Sea, “European Union Naval Force Aspides”, with two officers. The experts will bring their expertise in logistics and information and communications technology to the mission's operational headquarters in Larissa, Greece. If necessary, Austrian participation can be increased to up to five people.
“The current developments in and around Europe show that Europe's international security and defense policy is faced with major challenges. These can only be accepted collectively. I therefore see Austria's contribution to the 'Aspides' protection operation as particularly important when it comes to representing Europe's vital interests - and thus Austria's - within the European network and thereby actively protecting the security of important trade routes to Europe. The Federal Army can also contribute its decades of experience in crisis management to this international protection mission. “I wish our mission officers good luck as soldiers and thank them for their contribution to Europe’s security,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
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