Italy willing to boost Red Sea naval mission if Europe matches commitment, Defence Minister says
Italy is willing to increase its contribution to the EU's naval mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea, but only if other European countries are prepared to step up, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told The National in an exclusive interview in Rome. Mr Crosetto also said Italy had responded to Saudi Arabia ’s request for assistance during the war, sending radars, anti-missile batteries and…
Italy is ready to increase its contribution to the EU's naval mission in the Red Sea, but only if other European nations match the commitment, stated Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in an interview with The National in Rome. Crosetto also revealed that Italy had responded to Saudi Arabia's request for assistance during the war, sending radars, anti-missile batteries, and other assets to aid the kingdom against Iranian attacks and later from the Houthis.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had previously mentioned that the EU's Aspides mission would need to have over 10 warships. This week, she announced that two countries had expressed interest in deploying ships to the Red Sea to combat Houthi strikes.
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