Frigate “Hessen” and Aspides: Germany sends gold standard into the Red Sea
Hans Uwe Mergener
The maneuvers kicked off shortly before ten o'clock. The frigate “Hessen” (F 221) broke away from the pier and set off on her way. As can be seen from the picture, she was assured of calm waters, at least after passing the pier heads of the Wilhelmshaven naval base.
It won't stay that way. According to the Navy inspector, their intended participation in Operation EUNAVFOR Aspides is anything but a walk in the park. And it goes beyond the requirements of a NATO association in which the defense against threats is practiced, in which the danger posed by air, sea, underwater targets and mines remains abstract. It must be assumed that the operation in the Red Sea will be a “close call,” says Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack in an interview on a Bundeswehr portal. The commander of the “Hesse” added in the press release about the departure: “You [note. the editor: the threat]is very specific and consists of a large number of weapons that were regularly used there.”
Armament and level of training were decisive for the choice of the “Hesse”. Kaack: “Since we are going into a lively attack there, you have to assume that, based on what you see there, only one unit, a ship, that can prevail in terms of its armament and its crew is 100 percent trained to deal with this threat. The frigate Hessen, which we have selected, is prepared for this. It is our gold standard, so to speak, if I do say so myself. She comes from the active leadership of a Very High Ready Joint Taskforce Maritime. What makes it special is that its radar systems and weapons are optimized for exactly such a case. It has radar systems on board that have a range of around 400 kilometers and can therefore record even the smallest contacts.”
Aspides
Meanwhile, preparations for Aspides are in full swing. After the informal meetings of the defense ministers (January 31) and foreign ministers (February 2/3), the elements are slowly coming together. Greece provides the operational headquarters (OHQ) with Joint Force Command South Center Larissa. Larissa is EU certified and was used for an EU operation in 2014 (EUFOR RCA - Central African Republic). According to Nicolas Gros-Verheyde from the Brussels security policy blog B2, Italy will take over operational command at sea. The operational plan, which envisages the deployment of three sea-going units for a period of twelve months, has largely been completed. Which still leaves the question of the budget to be clarified. According to information from B2, between eight and ten million euros are estimated. Within the EU, the decision is to be made on February 19th in the Foreign Affairs Council. If the High Representative Josep Borrell was still optimistic a few days ago that the start could then take place, he had to be patient due to the German circumstances. Because the mandate of the German Bundestag, which makes the participation of the “Hesses” possible, can only be implemented in the week of 19-23. to be issued in February.
The potential deployment of the “Hesse” in the Red Sea will not only be an endurance test for the ship and crew. It marks another piece of the mosaic for Germany at a turning point. It is less a fight against the Houthis, who also terrorize their own population, than an advocacy for free maritime traffic. The use is not without controversy. It's not just that the principle of deterrence against the Houthis doesn't work. Ambrey Analytics Ltd doubts that the presence of international naval forces can ensure safe passage in the region. The threat is expanding, becoming more complex and covering a larger area, according to the latest report from the British security company and consultant dated February 2nd. In addition to attacks by the Houthis, Somali pirates are affecting the security situation.
Meanwhile, there have been new incidents in the Red Sea and its entrances in recent days. A Greek merchant ship reported an explosion on February 6th. Despite the wave of airstrikes from the US and Britain, the Houthis carried out attacks. Little intimidated, on February 7th they claimed attacks on two merchant ships, the “Star Nasia” and “Morning Tide”. On February 5, two unmanned surface vehicles were neutralized, according to US Central Command. In their anti-Western proclamations, the Houthis are now also making use of their possible attack potential against underwater infrastructure.
Germany at the turn of the times
Meanwhile, German politics is practicing at the traditional German pace and sticking to procedures and rules. According to a report by the RND published on January 19th, representatives of the Ministry of Defense announced that the Bundestag mandate would be passed by mid-February. A bold announcement given a look at the meeting calendar. In February only the week 19-23 was. February is scheduled as a meeting week. The impact on the launch of EUNAVFOR Aspides has already been presented. And contrary to the popular term parliamentary army, members of the Bundestag held back during today's extraordinary event. In addition to the Defense Commissioner Eva Högl, we were able to identify the Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense Siemtje Möller.
The “Hessen” left with a crew of around 240 soldiers. In addition to the actual permanent crew, this includes the flight operations team for two Sea Lynx on-board helicopters as well as other operational personnel such as a team of doctors, soldiers from the sea battalion and a military chaplain. Such a staffing is unusual in times of tense personnel situations. The number of personnel in operational flotilla 2, to which the frigate belongs, is around 65 percent enlisted and non-commissioned officers. Against this background, a true achievement by the Navy. It is to be feared that this may have a detrimental effect on the availability of personnel in the coming years. Which, in further consideration, leads to the conclusion that the highly praised turnarounds of the past (both material and personnel) are a waste of time.
Hans Uwe Mergener
