| Deploying nation |  South Korea |
|---|---|
| Host nation or area | Gulf of Aden |
| Region | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Military branch | 🚢 Naval forces |
| Record type | Deployment |
| Operation or mission | |
| Unit or formation | Not publicly confirmed |
| Personnel | Not disclosed |
| Equipment | Not stated |
| Status | Confirmed active |
| Start or report date | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Withdrawal or end date | — |
| Last verified | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Confidence | High: official or multiple independent sources |
Background
Cheonghae Unit, 49th rotation: destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin, a naval helicopter, up to three boats and up to 320 personnel. Where: Gulf of Aden, off Somalia. Status: Anti-piracy and escort mission; reported escorting South Korean tankers on alternative Red Sea routes. The mandate expires Dec. 31, and the government is weighing an extension, a wider area toward the Gulf of Oman and a P-8A patrol aircraft. Officials say the unit is not being sent to the Strait of Hormuz
Deployment timeline
- Record added from The Boston Report Military Deployments Tracker. Source report dated 2026-10-16.
Sources
Related deployments
- Uganda: UPDF bilateral and AUSSOM troops (AUSSOM allocation 4,500) Withdrawn
- Algeria: National People’s Army units to Niger Confirmed active
- Egypt: brigade-sized battle group (AUSSOM allocation 1,091) Confirmed active
- South Africa: South African National Defence Force members (Operation Prosper) to KwaZulu-Natal province, in support of the police Confirmed active
- Russia: Africa Corps Confirmed active
- Burundi: army (FDNB) battalions Confirmed active
- South Korea: Observers at Keen Sword 27 Confirmed active
- Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya: AUSSOM contingents Announced or pending
Public information only. Locations are given at country or sea-area level. Figures are shown as the source reported them; estimates and claims are labeled. Spot an error? Request a correction.