Eng. / Fr.
Under Operation Active Endeavour, NATO ships are patrolling the Mediterranean, monitoring shipping and providing escorts to non-military vessels through the Straits of Gibraltar to help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity.
The operation has evolved out of NATO’s immediate response to the terrorist attacks against the United States of 11 September 2001.
As the Alliance has refined its counter-terrorism role in the intervening years, the operation’s mandate has been regularly reviewed and its remit extended.
The operation aims to demonstrate NATO's solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism and to help detect and deter terrorist activity in the Mediterranean.
NATO forces have monitored more than 75,000 vessels, boarding some 100 suspect ships. In addition, over 480 ships have taken advantage of NATO escorts. The increased NATO presence in these waters has benefited all shipping travelling through the Straits by improving perceptions of security.
More ...The deployment was one of eight measures taken by NATO to support the United States in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, following the invocation of Article 5, NATO’s collective-defence clause, for the first time in the Alliance’s history.
More...The NATO Standing Naval Force Mediterranean and Standing Naval Force Atlantic rotate on a three-monthly basis in Operation Active Endeavour. Some NATO nations, mainly Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey, contribute directly to the operation with naval assets. Escort operations in the Straits of Gibraltar involve the use of fast patrol boats from Northern European Allies Denmark, Germany and Norway. Spain also provides additional assets in the Straits. Operation Active Endeavour relies heavily on the logistic support of Mediterranean NATO Allies. Russia and Ukraine have also offered support and the modalities of their participation are being finalised.
