The Ministry of Defense today announced that it will be contributing to the EU's EUNAVFOR MED fight against trafficking through its provision of a maritime air surveillance capacity to the project.
The EUNAVFOR MED operation aims to combat trafficking networks and human trafficking in the Mediterranean and on 22 June 2015 the EU Council for Foreign Affairs launched the first phase of the project in order to detect and monitor illegal migration networks. This involves disrupting and destroying the business model of these network through information collection and the organisation of offshore patrols, all the while respecting international law.
Luxembourg's contribution of aerial maritime surveillance will be achieved through a public-private partnerships with the Luxembourg company ACE Aviation, will operate an equipped maritime patrol aircraft under the command of the EUNAVFOR MED and the Grand Duchy.
"It is important for the inherent expertise of the space and aeronautics sector of Luxembourg that the government can use a company based in Findel to help a European military operation collect accurate information on the strategy, means and 'business model' of smugglers operating largely from Libya," stated Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Étienne Schneider.
Based at the NATO base in Sigonella in Sicily, the ACE Aviation patrol aircraft will be in effect from today, 16 July 2015, for a period of one year, in order to monitor and gather information on suspicious and illegal activities in the area of operation.
