Advanced counter-piracy tactics and hostage rescue were on deck during the naval exercise in the Indian Ocean between Atalanta and the Indian navy.
The European Union and India have teamed up with a major naval exercise in the Indian Ocean. This exercise was undertaken to stimulate the cooperation of maritime security between the two forces.
The exercise involved the forces of the naval force of the European Union (Eunavfor) Operation Atalanta and the Indian navy. He focused on improving interoperability and the progression of counter-piracy tactics.
Simulated hacker attack
To test cooperation between Atalanta and India, the exercise in early June 2025 simulated a scenario of a hacking attack on a merchant ship.
The objective was to improve interoperability between Indian and European navies and advanced counter-piracy tactics. The naval ships and the air assets of the EU and the maritime patrol planes and a helicopter) cooperated on monitoring the situation, the collection of information and the planning of the RESCUE hostages.
The ships involved included the Italian ship Antonio Marceglia, the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia and the Indian frigate Trikand supported by the respective air assets. An Indian maritime patrol plane also joined the event.
The exercise and port of port were provided by the headquarters of the Atalanta operation based in Rota, Spain, with the Indian Navy.
“ Huge milestone ”
“The whole exercise has represented an important step,” said Atalanta Force commander, RDML Davide Da Pozzo. “It was the first time that Atalanta and India have been doing such complex exercises at sea. This represents an encouraging step in increasing cooperation between Atalanta and the Indian navy for maritime security.
During the visit of European ships before the exercise, the EU ambassador to India, he Hervé Delphin, underlined the value of these activities. “The strategic importance of the Indian Ocean is as crucial to the EU as for India,” he said. “There is a strong interest and a momentum on the EU and India teams to deepen our cooperation from the levels of political cooperation to operational.” The strengthening of EU-Indian cooperation is necessary “for a secure, free and open and Indo-Pacific Indian Ocean”.
Maritime cooperation of the EU-India had
The Indian Ocean is a vital maritime corridor for world trade and security. It is essential to obtain an open maritime environment there. The EU and India share a commitment to fight against various threats in the region, including hacking, smuggling of arms and illegal fishing.
Naval exercise is a key step in growing cooperation between the EU and India. He followed the very first Call of Eunav port for ships in India, made in Mumbai on May 26-31, 2025. Port calls or naval visits in foreign ports, are an important aspect of defense cooperation, promoting interoperability between partners.
The EU and India organized a fourth maritime security dialogue in March. They also carried out “passage exercises” (PastEx) when the naval assets are in the same area to ensure that the navies are able to communicate and cooperate in times of crisis at sea.
In recent years, EU-India’s naval cooperation has developed beyond the Indian Ocean. Joint exercises took place in the Gulf of Guinea and the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy also supports escort missions for the world’s food program coordinated by Eunav for Atalanta.
Conclusion
The joint naval exercise of the EU and India in the Indian Ocean marks an important step in the cooperation of maritime security. By working together, the two regions aim to ensure a secure, free and open and Indo-Pacific Indian ocean. This exercise highlights their shared commitment to a maritime order based on rules and prepares the way for future collaborations.
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