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Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and the commander, Frigate Captain Volker Kübsch, on board the frigate “Hessen” off Crete
Photo: Michael Fischer / dpa
Shortly before the deployment of the frigate “Hessen” in the Red Sea, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) visited the around 240 soldiers on board. The minister flew to Crete on Monday evening, where the 143 meter long warship is currently making a stopover on the way from Wilhelmshaven to the operational area. If the Bundestag approves the mission on Friday, as expected, the “Hessen” will immediately enter the Red Sea from the Egyptian Suez Canal.
The foreign ministers of the EU states had already given the green light for Operation “Aspides” on Monday. It is considered the most dangerous purely naval operation in the history of the Bundeswehr. The primary goal of the mission is to protect merchant ships from attacks by the Islamist Houthis from Yemen. The militia wants to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip by shelling ships.
Anti-aircraft missiles and helicopters on board
The frigate “Hessen” is equipped, among other things, with anti-aircraft missiles. It was designed specifically for escort and maritime control. According to the Bundeswehr, its radar can monitor airspace the size of the entire North Sea. Their anti-aircraft missiles range more than 160 kilometers. In addition to the regular crew and two helicopters, there are also other emergency services on board, including a team of doctors and a military chaplain.
It is the Bundeswehr's first foreign deployment for which Pistorius is responsible as Defense Minister. He deliberately sent the ship to the Red Sea early on so that it could begin operations immediately after the Bundestag vote. In the next few days it will set off from the port of Souda on Crete towards the Suez Canal.
The sea route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is one of the most important trade routes in the world. Because of the attacks by the Houthis, large shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the shortest sea connection between Asia and Europe. This is now having a significant impact on the global economy. The USA and Great Britain have recently attacked targets of the Houthi militias in Yemen.
The Iranian-backed militia attacks ships in the Red Sea with long-range missiles, drones and remote-controlled kamikaze boats. The frigate “Hessen” is therefore intended to escort civilian ships and intercept attacks. Attacks on the Houthi militia are not part of the mission.
czl/dpa