Helis, May 04, 2024 - The German Armed Forces has been participating in the European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) Aspides operation since February 23, 2024, with a focus on the Red Sea. According to the current resolution of the German Bundestag, up to 700 soldiers can be deployed.
On February 19, 2024, the Council of the European Union approved Operation Aspides. The aim of this defensive maritime security operation is to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region, thus contributing to maritime security along the most important sea routes in the operational area.
The operational area of Aspides includes the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, the Strait of Hormuz, and international waters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, as well as the airspace above. However, the operational protection mission for ships is limited to a line south of the Omani port of Muscat, corresponding to the current threat area from attacks by the Houthi militias.
Germany has participated in the operation with the Sachsen-class frigate “Hessen” (F221) from February 23rd to April 20, 2024. The sister ship “Hamburg” is scheduled to join Aspides at the beginning of August. Additionally, German personnel serve on the headquarters staff in Larissa, Greece, and aboard the flagship.
This marked the German Navy's first combat mission of this kind. The “Hessen” has a crew of 240 men and women and carried two Super Lynx helicopters. The ship fired multiple times against Houthi drones and was also involved in a friendly-fire incident with a US Air Force MQ-9A Reaper reconnaissance drone, fortunately without consequences.
The return home of the Hessen coincided with the 111th anniversary of the Marineflieger, the German naval aviation.
On February 19, 2024, the Council of the European Union approved Operation Aspides. The aim of this defensive maritime security operation is to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region, thus contributing to maritime security along the most important sea routes in the operational area.
The operational area of Aspides includes the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, the Strait of Hormuz, and international waters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, as well as the airspace above. However, the operational protection mission for ships is limited to a line south of the Omani port of Muscat, corresponding to the current threat area from attacks by the Houthi militias.
Germany has participated in the operation with the Sachsen-class frigate “Hessen” (F221) from February 23rd to April 20, 2024. The sister ship “Hamburg” is scheduled to join Aspides at the beginning of August. Additionally, German personnel serve on the headquarters staff in Larissa, Greece, and aboard the flagship.
This marked the German Navy's first combat mission of this kind. The “Hessen” has a crew of 240 men and women and carried two Super Lynx helicopters. The ship fired multiple times against Houthi drones and was also involved in a friendly-fire incident with a US Air Force MQ-9A Reaper reconnaissance drone, fortunately without consequences.
The return home of the Hessen coincided with the 111th anniversary of the Marineflieger, the German naval aviation.
Red Sea See also |
Super Lynx mk88a in
Marineflieger Hessen ( F221, F 124 Sachsen class ) Operation Aspides
