Date: 2026-03-04Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/495 of 24 February 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) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2026)
**Executive Summary**
This decision concerns the appointment of Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS as EU Force Commander for the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation from 18 February 2026 to 14 March 2026. It also repeals the previous decision regarding the appointment of Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment of EU Force Commander:**
* Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS is appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).
* The appointment is for the period from 18 February 2026 to 14 March 2026.
* **Repeal of Previous Decision:**
* Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217, which appointed Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS as EU Force Commander, is repealed.
* **Effective Date:**
* This decision enters into force on the date of its adoption (24 February 2026).
* It applies from 18 February 2026 to ensure continuity.
**Impact Analysis**
**EU Force Commander (Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS)**
* **Impact:** Takes on the role of EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES for a defined period.
* **Action Required:** Assume command responsibilities from 18 February 2026.
**EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES**
* **Impact:** Receives the new EU Force Commander in accordance with the decision.
* **Action Required:** Acknowledge and facilitate the transition of command to Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS.
**EU Military Committee**
* **Impact:** Their support for the proposed appointment is formally recognized.
* **Action Required:** No specific action required beyond their prior support.
**Political and Security Committee (PSC)**
* **Impact:** Formally appoints the EU Force Commander based on previous deliberations and approvals.
* **Action Required:** No further action required as they have adopted this decision.
**Previous EU Force Commander (Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS)**
* **Impact:** His appointment is superseded and the previous decision is repealed.
* **Action Required:** Step down from the role of EU Force Commander on 18 February 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/495: The primary legal act being adopted, concerning the appointment of an EU Force Commander.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES: The European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/583: The foundational decision that established the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation.
Political and Security Committee: The committee responsible for authorising the appointment of the EU Force Commander and adopting the current decision.
Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS: The individual appointed as the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/495 4.3.2026
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/495
of 24 February 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)
and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2026)
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 military 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 22 October 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217(2), appointing Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS
as EU Force Commander as from 6 November 2025.
(4) On 9 February 2026, the Greek military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS
to succeed Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS as EU Force Commander (the ‘proposed appointment’).
(5) On 9 February 2026, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the proposed appointment.
(6) On 11 February 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that
Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS be appointed as EU Force Commander for the period from 18 February 2026 to
14 March 2026.
(7) A decision on the appointment of Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR
ASPIDES should be taken.
(8) This decision should apply from 18 February 2026 in order to ensure continuity in the tasks of the EU Force
Commander.
(9) Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS is appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security
operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) for the period from
18 February 2026 to 14 March 2026.
(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) 2025/2217 of 22 October 2025 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) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1224 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2025) (OJ L, 2025/2217, 30.10.2025,
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2217/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/495/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 4.3.2026
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 is hereby repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall apply from 18 February 2026.
Done at Brussels, 24 February 2026.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
L. MANDEL VENSILD
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/495/oj