The URS Ternopil, a Ukrainian frigate, has started its second deployment in support of Operation Active Endeavour, according to the NATO official web site. It will be conducting surveillance and monitoring activities as part of NATO’s maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean from 18 November to 3 December.
The URS Ternopil, a Ukrainian frigate, has started its second deployment in support of Operation Active Endeavour. It will be conducting surveillance and monitoring activities as part of NATO’s maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean from 18 November to 3 December.
This is the fourth time Ukraine has contributed naval assets to the operation. It follows the two-month deployment of the frigate Hetman Sagaidachny deployed support of Operation Active earlier this year, and two deployments in 2007 (the Ternopil and the corvette Lutsk).
The same level of support is planned for 2009. Ukraine also supports Operation Active Endeavour through information exchange.
Currently the only Partner country to actively support all NATO-led operations and missions, Ukraine continues to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against terrorism and to promoting security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond.
Background
An exchange of letters between NATO and Ukraine in April 2005 provided the basis for Ukraine`s support of Operation Active Endeavour. Following this, experts from Allied military commands worked with the Ukrainian Navy Headquarters in Sevastopol to ensure the appropriate training of Ukrainian personnel in NATO standard procedures and communications.
Operation Active Endeavour, the Alliance`s only Article V operation, is part of NATO`s maritime contribution to the fight against terrorism. Launched in October 2001, it conducts surveillance and monitoring operations of the major shipping lanes of the Mediterranean.
In 2004, NATO invited Partner countries, Mediterranean Dialogue countries and other nations to support the fight against terrorism by contributing to the operation. Russia was the first Partner actively to support the operation – to date, it has deployed two ships in support of the operation (in September 2006 and September 2007). A number of other countries are cooperating by sharing intelligence about shipping.
