Operation Allied Protector

Operation Allied Protector helped to deter, defend against and disrupt pirate activities in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.

From Mar. 24 until Jun. 29, 2009, the operation was conducted by Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) vessels. SNMG1 is usually employed in the Eastern Atlantic area, but it can deploy anywhere NATO requires. The first phase of Operation Allied Protector was undertaken as the force left for NATO's first ever deployment to South East Asia. It made a short visit to Karachi (Pakistan) on Apr. 26 to 27. However, with the increase in pirate attacks, on Apr. 24. NATO had already decided to cancel the other two port visits to Singapore and Australia. As such, the second phase of the operation, which was meant to take place as SNMG1 made its return journey towards European waters end June, was brought forward to May 1.

From Jun. 29, 2009, SNMG2 took over responsibility from SNMG1. It had conducted NATO's first counter-piracy operation – Operation Allied Provider.