Italy accuses EU partners of failing to fund Red Sea naval mission

Italy’s defense minister declared that European nations have failed to provide concrete resources to secure shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Guido Crosetto made the statement on Tuesday, asserting that governments have not responded to his requests to strengthen the bloc's naval capabilities.

The dispute stems from a demand Crosetto issued in September. He urged the European Union to expand Aspides, a mission established in 2024 to protect commercial vessels from attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. Those attacks have intensified due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Crosetto told Reuters that he has yet to see tangible action, though he noted that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas understood the urgency of Italy's position.

Following the minister's appeal, Kallas sent a letter to the 27 member states. She argued that the mission requires more than 10 warships to function effectively. According to reports from the Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore, negotiations to increase contributions have stalled. Some member states with limited resources have expressed reluctance to deploy additional assets.

Crosetto, a senior member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, emphasized Italy's disproportionate burden. He stated that roughly one-third of European operations rely on Italian contribution. He added that other countries, many of which are larger than Italy, contribute significantly less. Speaking after an event in Rome, he argued that if the bloc invests in these missions, all members should share the cost.

The conflict between the US and Israel and Iran has disrupted key maritime routes. These disruptions affect the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, both vital for global trade and energy supplies. The instability has driven up shipping costs and added to inflationary pressures across the region.

Italian shipowners face direct consequences from the situation. Assarmatori, one of the country's main shipowners' associations, reports that approximately 40% of Italy's international trade passes through the Suez Canal. The canal is located at the northern end of the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the Houthis have stepped up attacks on commercial shipping and strategic infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has also conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

The mission remains active despite the funding gap. The EU has not yet announced a new schedule for additional deployments. Member states continue to evaluate their capacity to meet the threshold identified by Kallas.