The Sachsen-class frigate F221 HESSEN has departed Wilhelmshaven on February 8. The German air warfare frigate will initially head for the Mediterranean, intending to pass trough Suez into the Red Sea once Operation Aspides comes into effect. Ednews informs citing Naval News

The objective is to support military efforts protecting shipping against missile and drone-attacks by the Yemen-based Houthi militia. Siemtje Moeller, State Secretary for Defence under Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, bid farewell to the ship under the command Fregattenkapitaen Volker Kuebsch on Thursday morning.

“With Operation Aspides Europe is going to assume responsibility for the security of sea lanes in one of the most important trade routes for Germany and Europe.” Moeller said. The State Secretary expects an approval of Aspides by the European Council before February 19. A mandate for the mission by the German Bundestag is to follow. Berlin’s decision sending off “Hessen” ahead of political processes launching Operation Aspides is in lockstep with European partners. The Italian Navy on January 28 has quietly deployed her own Andrea Doria-class AAW destroyer “Caio Duilio”. The ship will operate under the scope of the existing EU mission Atalanta, until Aspides comes into force.