Kenya’s Navy and Coast Guard recently took part in a joint exercise with the European Union (EU) naval task force, strengthening maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. Conducted in the final week of October, the exercise featured a simulated search and rescue (SAR) operation led by the EU’s Operation Atalanta flagship, ESPS Santa Maria (F81). Kenya’s coast guard and navy assets collaborated closely, refining shared procedures essential for effective SAR missions.
The training highlighted the role of Kenya Coast Guard personnel, who also benefit from the Go Blue initiative—a blue economy program spanning Kenya’s coastal counties and covering a 600 km coastline. The initiative promotes skills essential to maintaining security and sustainable development along Kenya’s maritime borders.
Following the SAR drill, a maritime interdiction exercise was held, involving boarding operations and coordinated maneuvers with Kenya’s research vessel, KHS Shujaa. These exercises fostered stronger cooperative strategies and strengthened interoperability between Kenyan maritime forces and the EU task force.
According to the EU naval command, the collaboration with Kenya has evolved through regular exercises such as the recent Exercise Usalama Baharini, which demonstrated the value of mutual capabilities and procedural understanding. Established six months prior, Usalama Baharini showcased the importance of effective cooperation to enhance maritime security in the region.
Atalanta, deeply integrated within the maritime architecture of the region, is a significant aspect of the EU’s defense and diplomacy strategy. The mission supports EU presence in East Africa, including its delegation to Kenya, by advancing joint security measures. This partnership reinforces a coordinated approach to regional security, benefiting both the EU and Kenya.
