With its high-tech electronic warfare equipment, it will be a “beacon” in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to protect itself and the ships of the international coalition launched by the United States as part of the operation Prosperity Guardian to counter threats of attack – “every 12 hours” – by Yemen’s Houti guerrilla group to damage, if not completely block, trade to Israel. The Italian frigate “Virginio Fasan” is already on its way to the operational area with its approx 200 crew membersbut also with all its capabilities not only as a weapon, but also for interception and cyber defense.
Why was no approval vote required in Parliament?
This is an earlier departure than expected, as the Pheasant is expected to take part in the anti-piracy operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden next February as planned, which has continued unabated since 2008 has practically eliminated the phenomenon, Given that in 2023 there were only 12 suspicious events without attacks, at least in the waters off Somalia. For this reason, the Italian unit is currently in training and it was not necessary to obtain Parliament's consent to authorize their participation in the Red Sea mission. A step that will instead be mandatory should the situation deteriorate to such an extent that the deployment of additional units or troops becomes necessary. However, remember that Italy, like other countries in the region, has a support base, such as that of Amedeo Guillet in Djibouti, under the Joint Forces Operational Command (Covi).
What is the mission of the Italian ship?
The rules of engagement for “Fasan” are currently limited to:Self-defense against possible attacks with drones and missiles from the Houthis – who can count on an Iranian-made arsenal thanks to the detection and killing systems with precision cannons and machine guns, as well as with jamming devices capable of neutralizing any link of remotely controlled aircraft and causing them to fall into the sea, not to mention the missile section in case of need.
A possible intervention by the frigate F591 is also expected in the case of Attacks on other units the coalition or a Merchant ships in transit in the Italian ship's area of operation. Certainly under the circumstances that another Italian unit is currently being targeted.
The precedents: the two operations in the Gulf between 1987 and 1991
However, this is not currently planned an accompanying activity for commercial shipping aimed at the Mediterranean, as was the case with the Gulf 1 and Golf 2 operations in the period between 1987 and 1991: the first with the deployment of three naval teams to the area, especially after the Iranian attack on the Italian one Container ship Jolly Rubino near the Mediterranean island of Farsi and the second in the middle of the Gulf War, which was followed by the evacuation of Italians and some Europeans from Somalia after the fall of the dictator Siad Barre.
Today, however, always for now, The Italian intervention is limited to the deployment of the “pheasant” which will definitely have the task of ensuring this, in direct and constant contact with the Allied units (Britain, France, Holland, Spain, Norway, Seychelles, but there could be more). an “umbrella” of protection and immediate response in the event of an attack for all units transiting the Red Sea.
How long will Italy's involvement last?
The frigate's mission has just begun and No completion date has been set yet. The fact remains that, according to current regulations, the “Fasan” must be put into service in just over two months as part of the Atalanta operation, led by the Portuguese Navy, albeit in an area not far away, between the Gulf of Aden and the Persian Gulf. It remains to be seen whether he will have a dual commitment given the unit's characteristics and capabilities, or whether another – or more than one – will be sent as a replacement.