Date: 2026-02-24Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/439 of 23 February 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 on a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)
**Executive Summary**
This Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/439, dated 23 February 2026, amends Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 to extend the European Union maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, which safeguards freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis. The operation is extended until 28 February 2027, with a strategic review to be conducted in 2026/27. The decision enters into force on the date of its adoption.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Extension of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES:**
* Extends the operation until 28 February 2027.
* A strategic review of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES will be conducted in 2026/27.
* **Financial Provisions:**
* Sets the financial reference amount for common costs of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES for the period from 1 March 2026 until 28 February 2027 at EUR 14917600.
* Sets the percentage of the reference amount at 0% for commitments and 0% for payments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** EUNAVFOR ASPIDES Participating Member States
**Impact:** Continued involvement in the maritime security operation in the Red Sea, with financial implications for contributions to common costs.
**Action Required:** Budget and allocate resources for participation in EUNAVFOR ASPIDES until 28 February 2027 and prepare for a strategic review in 2026/2027.
**Stakeholder:** European Union
**Impact:** The EU continues to secure freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).
**Action Required:** Continue to monitor the situation in the Red Sea and maintain readiness to respond to any threats to maritime security.
Key Entities Referenced
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES: A European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis.
Decision (CFSP) 2024/583: Council Decision establishing the Union's maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
Red Sea: The geographical area of operation for the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES mission, focusing on maritime security and freedom of navigation.
United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024): Resolution condemning Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, serving as a basis for maritime security operations.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/439: Council Decision amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 to extend and update the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES mission.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/439 24.2.2026
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/439
of 23 February 2026
amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 on a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard
freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 10 January 2024, the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted Resolution 2722 (2024), condemning in
the strongest terms Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels, underscoring the importance of the
exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea by vessels of all states, including for merchant and
commercial vessels transiting the Baab al-Mandab Strait, in accordance with international law, demanding that the
Houthis immediately cease all such attacks, affirming that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by
merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, and taking note of the
right of UN Member States, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including
those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.
(2) On 8 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/583(1) which established the Union’s maritime
security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).
(3) On 19 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/632(2), which launched EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
with a mandate to 18 February 2025.
(4) On 14 February 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/334(3), which extended EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
until 28 February 2026.
(5) On 26 November 2025, in the context of the strategic review of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and the strategic assessment
of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) agreed that EUNAVFOR ASPIDES be
extended until 28 February 2027.
(6) Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 should be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 is hereby amended as follows:
(1) in Article 9, the following paragraph is added:
‘4. The financial reference amount for the common costs of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES for the period from 1 March
2026 until 28 February 2027 shall be EUR 14 917 600. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in
Article 51(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall be 0 % for commitments and 0 % for payments.’;
(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 of 8 February 2024 on a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of
navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (OJ L, 2024/583, 12.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/
2024/583/oj).
(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/632 of 19 February 2024 launching the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard
freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (OJ L, 2024/632, 20.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.
eu/eli/dec/2024/632/oj).
(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/334 of 14 February 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 on a European Union maritime
security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (OJ L, 2025/334,
17.2.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/334/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/439/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 24.2.2026
(2) in Article 11, paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
‘2. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES shall end on 28 February 2027.
3. A strategic review of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES shall be conducted in 2026/27.’.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 23 February 2026.
For the Council
The President
K. KALLAS
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/439/oj