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deployment2026-05-15 00:00 UTC🇮🇹 Departed Augusta, Sicily, Italy; expected forward-deployment destination Djibouti (en route to Middle East/Strait of Hormuz area)
Italy forward-deploys mine countermeasures vessels with AUVs toward Middle East
Italy has dispatched two Gaeta-class mine countermeasures vessels from Augusta, Sicily, as part of preparations to support international efforts related to navigation security near the Strait of Hormuz. The ships are equipped to operate autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for mine countermeasures and seabed surveillance, with Djibouti cited as the expected forward-deployment destination.
Details
Type
deployment
Occurred
2026-05-15 00:00
Reported
2026-05-18
Location
Departed Augusta, Sicily, Italy; expected forward-deployment destination Djibouti (en route to Middle East/Strait of Hormuz area)
Coordinates
37.2369, 15.2197
Confidence
72 / 100
Damage assessment
No damage reported; naval deployment of mine countermeasures vessels and associated unmanned underwater systems.