Germany backtracks on deploying the frigate “Hamburg” as part of the “Aspides” mission after the “Hessen” scandal

The German Ministry of Defense indicated on August 19 that the frigate “Hamburg” [Sachsen class] will not join the Red Sea and Aspides as announced at least last month for the time being.

Exclusive – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

While the German Ministry of Defense claims that the reason for not sending the frigate to the Red Sea is related to the need for it to remain in the Mediterranean in preparation for evacuating German citizens from Lebanon in the event that the war expands, a report by the German Radio North Hamburg confirmed that the frigate lacks a radar capable of detecting “modern anti-ship missiles.”

Quoting an official in the German association, it was added: “The Ministry of Defense decided in 2017/2018 not to update this technology on the frigates for cost reasons. Then the threat was assessed in a way that did not seem necessary.”

It is noteworthy that Germany preceded the Hessen frigate in April after launching interception missiles towards an American MQ-9 aircraft, mistaking it for a Yemeni drone.

It was announced that “due to the current situation in the Near and Middle East, the Hamburg frigate, which was supposed to participate in the Aspides operation, will currently remain in the eastern Mediterranean under national leadership,” in preparation for the evacuation of German citizens if the war expands.