As of: February 20, 2024, 5:22 a.m
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Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (l, SPD) arrived at Chania Airport on the Greek island of Crete.
© Michael Fischer/dpa
On Friday, the frigate “Hessen” is scheduled to start what is probably the most dangerous naval mission in the history of the Bundeswehr.
Beforehand, the crew receives prominent visitors.
Souda - Shortly before the dangerous deployment of the frigate “Hessen” in the Red Sea, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited the approximately 240 soldiers on board on Tuesday.
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 enter the Red Sea from the Egyptian Suez Canal immediately afterwards.
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 militant Islamist Houthis from Yemen.
The militia wants to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip by shelling ships.
The Gaza war was triggered by the terrorist attack and massacre by the Islamist Hamas and other extremist Palestinian groups in Israel on October 7th.
Anti-aircraft missiles are part of the equipment
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.
First new foreign assignment under Pistorius
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.
Large shipping companies avoid trade routes
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 Houthi attacks, 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 Houthi targets in Yemen.
Attacks with missiles, drones and kamikaze boats expected
The Iranian-backed militia attacks ships in the Red Sea with long-range missiles, drones and remote-controlled kamikaze boats.
The frigate is intended to escort civilian ships and intercept attacks.
Attacks on the Houthi militia are not part of the mission.
dpa