First mission in the Red Sea for the ITS Fasan

As announced by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the Italian frigate ITS Virginio Fasan (F591) has joined the deployment of the EU Atlanta anti-piracy operation.

#EUNAVFOR welcomes 🇮🇹 ITS Virginio #FASAN in support of #OperationAtalanta during the following days.

Along with EUNAVFOR flagship 🇪🇸 ESPS #VICTORIA, ITS FASAN will contribute to providing a safe navigation environment in the region.#GoFurtherTogether pic.twitter.com/gjkQqLSXMc

— EUNAVFOR (@EUNAVFOR) December 28, 2023

It is important to emphasize that the frigate Fasan will operate within a specific mission (in which Italy has been participating for years). The operational area also includes the Red Sea, where the Houthi rebels have carried out dozens of attacks against transiting ships.

It is therefore possible that in the future, the Italian ship will operate against this specific threat, but currently, it does not seem to be in an area significantly at risk for this type of critical situation.

Cargo ship convoy TODAY escorted by Italian frigate Virginio Fasan F 591 🇮🇹 at Gulf of Aden heading E leaving Red Sea behind.

12.004,45.469 – 100 km SSW of Aden

h/t @Schizointel for updated info helping in IDing.#IsraelHamasWar #Houthis #MarRosso #shipping pic.twitter.com/dWbrxhn8w2

— Tom Bike (@tom_bike) January 2, 2024

From satellite images taken yesterday, after entering the Red Sea in the past few days, the ship appears to be navigating in the Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, escorting some merchant vessels to the east.

It is possible that after completing this activity, the unit may return to the Red Sea.