BRUSSELS, October 10 (RIA Novosti) – A Ukrainian frigate has joined NATO’s counter-piracy operation Ocean Shield in the Gulf of Aden, NATO’s Secretary General said Thursday.
Operation Ocean Shield aims to deter and disrupt pirate attacks, protect vessels and help increase overall security in the region since 2008. In March 2012, the North Atlantic Council extended the operation until the end of 2014.
On Sept. 24, NATO announced that the Ukrainian Navy’s flagship, the frigate Hetman Sahaydachnyy, would be joining Ocean Shield. Ukraine, which aspires for NATO membership, is to contribute the frigate, up to 250 servicemen and a helicopter to the operation.
