Denmark is sending the frigate Iver Whitfeldt on a mission to strengthen maritime security as part of the International Maritime Union in and around the Red Sea. The frigate is also expected to serve in future EU-led naval missions in the region.
Danish Ministry of Defense Press Release / Translation: Naval News
frigate of the danish navy ivor whitfeld Today (January 29, 2024) they will depart for Suez, where a government resolution is expected to be passed by Folketing (Danish Parliament) on February 6, and from there they will continue to the Red Sea. The Iver Hoytfeld is US-led maritime security operation “Prosperity Guardian”aimed at securing the right to free navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden.
On January 10, 2024, the United Nations passed a resolution condemning Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthi attacks have been ongoing since November 2023 and pose a threat to peace and security in the region.
“The Houthi attacks on international shipping, and therefore on security on the high seas, are extremely worrying and pose a serious threat to the international world order. As an important maritime state, Denmark is committed to maritime security. The government has therefore decided to send a military contribution to the Red Sea in the form of the frigate Yver Whitfeldt. This decision is likely to find wide support within Folketing. .”
Troels Lund Poulsen, Danish Minister of Defense
Denmark has participated in various missions in the region since 2008. Resolution B 103 (Denmark’s military contribution to the US-led operation), the government called on Parliament to approve the deployment of Danish military contributions to strengthen maritime security in and around the Red Sea. The proposed resolution envisages that Denmark’s military contributions will be used for possible future EU-led naval missions in the region.
“The brutal attacks by the Houthis are completely unacceptable and I therefore very much appreciate that Denmark, as an important maritime nation, is taking the lead at a time when it is necessary to protect seafarers and their rights to freedom of navigation. We are proud. We thank Folketing for its wide support, but most of all we thank all those who leave behind their families and relatives to look after us. They are invaluable to Denmark. We are doing our job and all of us at the shipping company are grateful for that.”
Anne H. Steffensen, CEO of Danske Redelier
In addition to participating in the defensive Operation Prosperity Guardian, Denmark is contributing staff to the US-led offensive coalition under Resolution B 104, adopted by Folketing on January 24. The coalition is carrying out offensive actions against the Houthi movement. Reduce the Houthis’ ability to attack ships and persuade them to cease their illegal attacks.
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Navy News Comments:
Ivar Hoytfeld is capable of repelling Houthi suicide drone and missile attacks. SM-2MR Block IIIB surface-to-air missile (SAM) has a range of approximately 170 km (92 n miles), and the RIM-162B ESSM Block I SAM has a range of 55 km (29.7 n miles). The ship fires these missiles from her 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system.
Iver Huitfeldt uses advanced sensors to detect sea and sky images and also contributes to sky and water surface monitoring. The ship is equipped with a Thales SMART-L radar operating in the D-band and a Thales APAR that can be used for air and surface search and fire control.