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)

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