With similar characteristics to those already used in previous Houthi attacks, it was located about 5 kilometers from the boat
April 29, 2024
Late morning today the frigate Virginio Fasan of the Navyengaged in the close protection of a European commercial merchant ship, as part of Operation Eunavfor Aspides, shot down a drone in the Red Sea, near the Bab El Mandeb Strait. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense.
The drone, with similar characteristics to those already used in previous Houthi attacks, was about 5 kilometers from the Italian ship, in the direction of the escorted merchant ship. Complex attacks with missiles and drones had already occurred during the morning, foiled thanks to the evasive maneuvers carried out by the merchant ship following instructions from the Nave Fasan command. A missile exploded in the water in the vicinity of the escorted vessel, causing only minor superficial damage.
The Fasan frigate and the protected merchant vessel are continuing their southward route as planned, to exit the Red Sea. Currently in the area to guarantee freedom of navigation and the safety of trade routes, Nave Virginio Fasan has replaced Nave Caio Duilio as the headquarters unit of the tactical command of Eunavfor Aspides, a European Union maritime security operation for the protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden areas.
