Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/495 of 24 February 2026 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2026)

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/495 4.3.2026 POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/495 of 24 February 2026 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/1/2026) THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof, Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/583 of 8 February 2024 on a European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES)(1), and in particular Article 4(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 8 February 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, which established a military European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES).

(2) Pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2024/583, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee

(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (the ‘EU Force Commander’).

(3) On 22 October 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217(2), appointing Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS as EU Force Commander as from 6 November 2025.

(4) On 9 February 2026, the Greek military authorities proposed the appointment of Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS to succeed Commodore Michail LAMPIRIS as EU Force Commander (the ‘proposed appointment’).

(5) On 9 February 2026, the EU Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES supported the proposed appointment.

(6) On 11 February 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS be appointed as EU Force Commander for the period from 18 February 2026 to 14 March 2026.

(7) A decision on the appointment of Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES should be taken.

(8) This decision should apply from 18 February 2026 in order to ensure continuity in the tasks of the EU Force Commander.

(9) Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 Commodore Grigorios NOUSIAS is appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) for the period from 18 February 2026 to 14 March 2026.

(1) OJ L, 2024/583, 12.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/583/oj.

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 of 22 October 2025 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1224 (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES/4/2025) (OJ L, 2025/2217, 30.10.2025,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2217/oj).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/495/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 4.3.2026 Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2025/2217 is hereby repealed.

Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from 18 February 2026.

Done at Brussels, 24 February 2026.

For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson L. MANDEL VENSILD 2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/495/oj