Big round of applause to Germany: fires at US drone twice, fails twice

A report explicitly titled “Embarrassment for our Navy in the Red Sea” by the German tabloid Bild reported that the radar systems of the frigate “Hessen” mistakenly identified a drone circling above it as hostile. As a result, the warship fired two missiles at it.

Fortunately for the US, both German interceptor missiles of the SM-2 type failed to reach their target due to technical reasons, instead falling into the sea without achieving their objective.

The drone was later identified as a US MQ-9 Reaper drone.

The report indicated that this incident demonstrates the partially dire state of the German army under Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Read more: Germany’s ‘Hessen’ frigate joins EU mission to Red Sea for ‘safe sea’

Spokesman for the German Ministry of Defense Michael Stempfle said that when the drone was targeted and fired upon, it was not immediately clear which country the drone belonged to or whether it was associated with any of the allied nations. 

Following the initial uncertainty about the drone’s origin or affiliation, the “Hessen” made an attempt to shoot down the drone. The ship was however unsuccessful in its endeavor.

“The situation resolved itself in the sense that it was not a hostile drone, as it was determined only afterward,” Stempfle said.

Stempfle did not provide information regarding which country the drone was eventually determined to belong to. However, Thomas Wiegold, a military insider, disclosed both the origin and the type of the drone. 

Stempfle pointed out that prior to the firing incident, the “Hessen” had communicated with all allied nations to inquire about the presence of their drones in the operational area. However, none of the allied nations reported having their own drones in that area at that time. Despite this, it was later revealed that the drone in question had not been previously reported by any nation. 

The report notes that it is common for US combat drones to operate in the region, and while these are active in the area, their operations are not always related to those of the Red Sea. 

Read more: European military operation in Red Sea will last one year: EU official

Florian Hahn who serves as the defense policy spokesperson for the Union faction in the Bundestag, stated that his department only recently became aware, upon inquiry, that a portion of the ammunition needed for the frigate “Hessen” is no longer available for procurement. 

“We have now only learned upon inquiry that apparently, a portion of the ammunition for the frigate ‘Hessen’ is no longer procurable because the corresponding industrial capacity no longer exists,” Hahn told Die Welt.

“If the stocks are empty, the Navy cannot replenish them – and must withdraw the frigate,” he added. 

He further accused the current government of concealing this fact from the opposition for months. “So, the parliament approved a mission without knowing that there is apparently an ammunition problem with the 124 frigate class,” said Hahn.

ASPIDES opreation to last a year

On February 12, the EU formally announced the launch of Operation ASPIDES, aimed at controlling shipping in the Red Sea due to continuous operations on Israeli-linked vessels by the Yemeni resistance. The mission officially commenced on February 19 and is scheduled to last for a whole year. 

Borrell said on January 31 that the European Union aimed to establish and launch the maritime mission in the Red Sea no later than February 19, claiming that it would be “defensive” and no operations would be carried out on land. The EU mission allegedly aims to focus solely on protecting merchant ships by intercepting Yemeni rockets. 

The mandate currently involves the deployment of 700 troops and will last till February 28, 2025.