JS IKAZUCHI Conducts Anti-piracy Exercise With EU NAVFOR In Gulf Of Aden
The Japanese Navy’s JS IKAZUCHI conducted an anti-piracy operation exercise with EU NAVFOR, Italian Navy ITS Francesco Morosini on September 8. The Anti-Piracy exercise aims to strengthen cooperation between JS IKAZUCHI and EU NAVFOR. The exercise is conducted in the Gulf of Aden and aims to improve tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation with EU NAFOR.
The bilateral ties between Italy and Japan began on 25th August 1866, but the first contracts between both countries date back to the 16th century when the first Japanese mission arrived in Rome in 1585. Both countries were close allies in the second world war and joined the Axis group led by Nazi Germany in the second world war. Today both countries are NATO allies and are working together along with the US and other NATO allies.
Anti-piracy exercise between Japan and Italy in Gulf of Aden
On September 8, JS IKAZUCHI from the 45th deployment Surface Force Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE) conducted an Anti Piracy exercise with EU NAVFOR, Italian Navy ITS Francesco Morosini in the Eastern Waters of the Gulf of Aden.
The exercise was based on the Administrative agreement concerning the Japan-EU joint anti-piracy exercises signed between the Chief of Staff of the Japan Joint Staff and the commander of Operation Atlanta of the EU NAVFOR in March 2023.
The commanding officer of the JS IKAZUCHI, Commander TANAKA Hiroaki in a statement said that through the exercise both Japan and Italy promoted cooperative relationships with the Italian Navy about counter-piracy. He said that they will contribute to ensuring the safe navigation of merchant ships in our operation area through exercises with partner nations’ navies in the Gulf of Aden.
The Japanese Self-Defence fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and cooperation with the international community and the like-minded and allied navies not only for Japan’s defence but also for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Japan is part of the QUAD group which consists of the US, India, Japan and Australia. The QUAD is working towards a free and open Indo-Pacific against China’s policies of restrictions in the South China Sea, the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific region.
Both countries are part of the NATO alliance and are conducting many joint exercises and operations together in the Pacific and Mediterranean region. The free and open Indo-Pacific will also help connect Asia with Europe as it will open the gates for free trade and maintain peace and security in the region. This exercise will help in containing piracy in the Eastern Waters of Gulf of Aden and enhance defence cooperation between Italy and Japan which is very important seeing today’s global scenario.
