Morska operacja NATO Active Endeavour : przebied, doświadczenia i wnioski

The paper presents NATO’s naval operation “Active Endeavour”, which is conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. The author shows the origins of the operation, the composition of force taking part in this enterprise and the main activities launched by men of war and planes of naval aviation. The article also describes the using of new NATO's measures aimed at developing the co-operation between navies and merchant fleets, called Naval Co-operation and Guidance of Shipping. The author presents an opinion that in the current military - political situation the naval force of NATO’s European members is becoming not the homeland defence but expeditionary fleets. It is determined by the necessity of protecting sea lines of communication (especially the transport of crude oil and natural gas) and the will to limit and finish local conflicts. It is very likely that in the future operations out of area will be the main form of NATO naval forces’ activity.