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EU’s Kallas says Red Sea naval mission needs more than 10 ships

By Thomson Reuters Sep 21, 2026 | 4:56 PM

NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) – The European Union’s naval mission in ​the Red Sea ‌would need more than 10 warships, its foreign policy chief said on ‌Monday, ​adding that ⁠for now there ⁠weren’t that many in the area.

“When Aspides (the EU military operation) was ​put in place, then the indication ⁠was that it ⁠needs at least ​10 ships. The situation, ​I think, is even ‌more grave right now,” she told reporters on the sidelines of ⁠the annual gathering of world leaders at the United ⁠Nations.

Kallas ‌last week sent ⁠a letter to ​member ‌states asking them ​to contribute ⁠more naval and air assets in the region, diplomats said.

(Reporting by John Irish; editing by Michelle ​Nichols )