The EU foreign policy chief asked member countries to dispatch more warships to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Kaja Kallas said on Monday, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York: “This operation needs more naval and air capabilities to counter the increased threats in the region.”

She added: “The Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are three vital maritime chokepoints; disruption of any of them has consequences far beyond the region.”

Aspides has been patrolling the Red Sea since two years ago and consists mainly of three Italian and Greek vessels. Kallas said: “When Aspides was launched, it was said that at least 10 ships were needed. In my view, the situation is even worse now.”

So far, member countries have shown no willingness to increase the number of ships or change the mission’s objectives.