As of: February 15, 2024, 7:17 p.m
By: Stefan Krieger
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The “Hesse” is making its way to the Red Sea.
With the approval of the Bundestag, the operation against Houthi rebels can begin.
Berlin - The European Union plans to deploy several warships and airborne early warning systems to protect merchant ships against missile and drone attacks as part of the “Eunavfor Aspides” mission.
The Houthi militia, a militant Islamist group, aims to use its attacks to end Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday (February 8th) the 143 meter long German frigate “Hessen” left its home port of Wilhelmshaven.
The inspector of the German Navy, Jan Christian Kaack, sees the “Hesse” as ideally equipped to take part in the EU military operation against the attacks of the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Additional weapon systems were brought on board the ship designed for such orders, said the vice admiral of the
German Press Agency
in Berlin.
“Anything that threatens us is dangerous.
“We will never take refuge in a feeling of superiority, but we are well prepared to deal with the threats,” he said.
Deployment of the “Hesse” in the Red Sea: Additional armament on board
Kaack reiterated that it was the most serious deployment of German naval forces in many decades.
“The direct threat to the ship and crew is clearly tangible.
And of course no one can ignore that,” he said.
And: “We have brought additional weapons on board, we have brought anti-drone systems on board.
We have trained to recognize them better.
System oversaturation is always a danger.
But fortunately we are not alone.
There is a broad coalition with many ships, with great capabilities.”
The German Navy frigate “Hessen” during an exercise.
(Archive image) © IMAGO / StockTrek Images
According to Kaack, it is in principle possible to protect corridors for civilian shipping with warships or to accompany the cargo ships in a closed convoy.
However, the operation planning is currently underway.
Threat from a larger number of drones
Frigates like the “Hesse” are equipped and intended to bring larger supply groups from the east coast of America to Europe and to protect aircraft carrier groups against threats.
“They assume long-range missile systems.
“Near the coast there are also very fast-acting missile systems or surface vehicles that can be used in kamikaze mode or in autonomous mode against such ships,” said Kaack.
What is new is the threat posed by many and cheap drone systems.
The “Hessen” is sufficiently equipped for the mission and is capable of lasting endurance.
Basically, his three priorities remained: ammunition, ammunition and ammunition.
“The processes have to be faster,” demanded the navy chief.
When the active operation begins, the crew of the “Hesse” will go on the so-called war march.
The soldiers on board are divided into two teams.
Kaack: “One half is always at the combat station.
Why?
Because with this strength they can deal with any threat quickly.
If there were more, the alarm bell would be pressed and then the entire crew would go on station.”
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Deployment in the Red Sea: Keeping sea routes clear is the responsibility of the Navy
Kaack said he viewed the operation in the Red Sea as “extended national defense.”
“90 percent of goods travel by sea.
Keeping sea routes open is a core task of the Navy.
If we cannot do this, then we will neither be able to keep our economy running in peace nor maintain our defense readiness in a crisis or conflict.” No one can achieve the simultaneity of national and alliance defense as well as international crisis management better than the Navy.
With a view to the tasks in the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic, which are again a central part of the alliance's defense, the question also arises as to how long the Navy can sustain the operation.
Kaack said: “The duvet is short at some point.
I have the smallest navy of all time with 48 ships and boats.” He refers to the Navy’s target image for 2035. The future concept envisages entry into artificial intelligence and unmanned systems.
Lessons from the war in Ukraine
The Navy has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the maritime aspect of the Ukraine war, conducting a risk assessment and taking into account demographic trends.
“We have come to the conclusion that we still need large, well-armed, heavy units to occupy spaces in the North Atlantic for a longer period of time,” explained Kaack.
“You need a certain size to be able to stand there and deny the enemy the use of the North Atlantic.
And to prevent nuclear submarines from breaking through, so that they cannot blackmail us from our rear or act against us.”
As the proximity to potential dangers and coastal regions increases, unmanned systems will increasingly be used in the future.
“One thing is clear,” said the vice admiral.
“We wouldn’t be able to tolerate what’s happening in Ukraine in our society.
Sending people into the fire en masse and not getting them back.” (skr/dpa)