It is responsible for the security of the entire coastline of Eritrea, more than 1,100 km, as well as the Eritrean territorial waters.
These forces played a critical role in the Second Battle of Massawa when they sank several Ethiopian warships in the harbor.
[1] At the close of the Eritrean War of Independence, the balance of the Ethiopian Navy was inherited by this naval force.
This branch of the Eritrean Defence Forces served with distinction under the command of Tewolde Kelati.
The current Commander of the Eritrean Naval Forces is Major General Hummed Mohammed Karikare.