📋 Tender Overview
From March 16 to 17, 2026, Defense Minister Yuriko Backes paid a working visit to Italy. Gallery 1 (l. to r.) Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense; Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense of Italy (c) Ministry of Defense of Italy (l to r) NISRF Commander, Brigadier General John Creel; Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense (c) MAE (from left to right) Yuriko BackesMinisters, Defense; Commander of Operation IRINI, Rear Admiral Marco Caspapieri (c) MAE (from left to right) Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense (c) MAE (from left to right) Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense; Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense of Italy (c) Ministry of Defense of Italy (l. to r.) Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense (c) Ministry of Defense of Italy On the first day, Minister Backes visited the operational headquarters of the European Unions Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI in Rome. During a meeting with the commander of the operation, Rear Admiral Marco Caspapieri, the Minister of Defense had an exchange of views on the essential tasks of this EU operation in the Mediterranean. Indeed, IRINI is the only international actor contributing to the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council in Libya to support the return to peace and stability in this country. Recently, a task of improving maritime situational awareness was added to IRINIs mandate. That same day, in Sicily, Minister Backes visited the Sigonella air base, where the aircraft and crew made available by Luxembourg Defense for the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation are permanently stationed. Since 2020, Luxembourg has made a maritime patrol aircraft available to the operation, with 150 hours of maritime aerial surveillance flights per month for the benefit of IRINI. Also in Sigonella, Yuriko Backes visited the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF). This Alliance program is mainly based on a fleet of strategic surveillance drones, on the RQ-4D Phoenix platform. These high-altitude, long-endurance observation drones contribute to strategic surveillance and anticipation of threats in the Euro-Atlantic area. Luxembourg has participated in this NATO program since 2012, first by contributing to the acquisition of the RQ-4D Phoenix, then by providing satellite communications capabilities until December 31, 2029 for a maximum amount of 120 million euros. In addition, Luxembourg Defense makes satellite communications capabilities available to the NISRF as needed through the Medium Earth Orbit Global Services program. On March 17, in Rome, Minister Backes had a first bilateral meeting with her counterpart, the Minister of Defense of Italy, Guido Crosetto. The discussions focused in particular on bilateral relations, the security situation in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine as well as the importance of military support for the Ukrainian armed forces. On the subject of the deterrence and defense posture of the Euro-Atlantic area, the ministers had an exchange of views on the strengthening of the European pillar. Europe must assume more responsibilities, we must coordinate better and strengthen our defense industrial base. pointed out Yuriko Backes. In Rome, Minister Backes also visited the Santa Rosa Naval Command Center.
