Germany Deploys Air Defense Frigate for EU Mission in Red Sea Amid Houthi Threats
Defense News ,Germany :- Germany has dispatched a formidable air defense frigate to join an upcoming European Union naval mission in the Red Sea. The mission, set to launch in mid-February, aims to safeguard merchant ships from potential attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia.
The decision to send the frigate comes in response to a series of Houthi attacks that prompted commercial shippers to reroute vessels. The Houthi militia, in control of significant portions of Yemen, claims to act in solidarity with the Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
"The basis of our industry and our ability to defend ourselves relies on free sea trade routes," emphasized Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, chief of the German navy, during a press briefing in Berlin. He highlighted the disruptions caused by the current situation in the Red Sea, leading to supply bottlenecks and halting production for some companies. Over 90% of goods destined for Europe and Germany are transported by sea.
In December, the United States and other nations initiated a mission to address concerns that disruptions in one of the world's major trading routes could impact the global economy. However, European countries, including France, Greece, and Italy, expressed reservations about the U.S.-led plan, particularly objecting to being under Washington's command.
The EU mission, named Aspides (meaning protector), will involve three vessels initially, operating under EU command. Their primary mandate is to protect commercial ships and intercept attacks, with the notable exception of engaging in strikes against Houthi positions on land.
The German air defense frigate Hesse, designed for air defense, departed from its North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven to join the Red Sea mission. However, its participation is contingent upon obtaining an EU mandate and national parliamentary approval, expected at the end of February.
Equipped with advanced radar systems capable of detecting targets up to 400 kilometers away, the frigate is prepared to counter a range of threats, including ballistic missiles and drones, with a striking distance exceeding 160 kilometers. Vice Admiral Kaack emphasized the vessel's readiness to confront various forms of direct and indirect attacks, ranging from ballistic missiles to drones and remote-controlled boats in kamikaze mode.