Date: 2026-07-15Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/1760 of 14 July 2026 repealing Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2026)
**Executive Summary**
This decision repeals the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, which was established to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The repeal follows a notification that the conditions for the appointment of a new commander could not be met. The decision entered into force and became applicable on 14 July 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legal Framework and Context**
* **Operation Establishment:** EUNAVFOR ASPIDES was established on 8 February 2024 via Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 to address the Red Sea crisis.
* **Authority:** The Political and Security Committee (PSC) holds the authority to appoint the EU Force Commander for the operation.
**Repeal of Appointment**
* **Previous Appointment:** Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 had appointed Rear Admiral Milos Argenton as the EU Force Commander effective from 14 March 2026.
* **Repeal Action:** Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 is officially repealed by the current decision.
* **Reasoning:** On 1 July 2026, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee informed the PSC that conditions for the appointment of a new EU Force Commander could not be met.
**Administrative Details**
* **Effective Date:** The decision applies from 14 July 2026.
* **Entry into Force:** The decision entered into force on the day of its adoption, 14 July 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Rear Admiral Milos Argenton**
**Impact**
The previous decision appointing him as the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is no longer in effect.
**Action Required**
None specified in the document, though the legal basis for his specific command term under Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 has been removed.
**Political and Security Committee (PSC)**
**Impact**
The committee has formally nullified a previous leadership appointment due to unmet conditions.
**Action Required**
Must ensure the operational leadership of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is managed following the repeal of the previous commander's appointment.
**EU Military Committee**
**Impact**
The committee's assessment regarding the inability to meet appointment conditions has been codified into law.
**Action Required**
Continue to advise the PSC on the conditions and requirements for future leadership appointments for the operation.
Key Entities Referenced
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES: The European Union maritime security operation established to safeguard freedom of navigation and address the Red Sea crisis.
Political and Security Committee (PSC): The EU body authorized to make decisions regarding the appointment and repeal of the EU Force Commander for the operation.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/583: The foundational legal act that established the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation and granted the PSC decision-making authority.
Red Sea: The central location of the maritime crisis and the primary area of applicability for the security operation.
Decision (CFSP) 2026/514: The specific legal act repealed by this decision, which had originally appointed the EU Force Commander for the operation.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/1760 15.7.2026
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1760
of 14 July 2026
repealing Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the
European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the
Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2026)
THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,
Having regard to 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)(1), and in particular Article 4(2)
thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 8 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, which established a European Union maritime
security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).
(2) Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee
(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (the ‘EU Force
Commander’).
(3) On 3 March 2026, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/514(2), appointing Rear Admiral Milos ARGENTON as
EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES as from 14 March 2026.
(4) On 1 July 2026, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee informed the PSC that the conditions for the
appointment of a new EU Force Commander could not be met.
(5) Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 should therefore be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 is repealed.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall apply from 14 July 2026.
Done at Brussels, 14 July 2026.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
L. MANDEL VENSILD
(1) OJ L, 2024/583, 12.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/583/oj.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/514 of 3 March 2026 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for
the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR
ASPIDES) (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/2/2026) (OJ L, 2026/514, 10.3.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/514/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1760/oj 1/1