Danish Frigate Joins US-Led Coalition To Protect Red Sea Shipping

Denmark dispatched a frigate into the Red Sea on Monday, where it will take part in a coalition headed by the US to protect commercial traffic from strikes by rebels from Yemen’s Houthis. Since November 19, the Houthis, affiliated with Iran, have responded to Israel’s military operations in Gaza by firing rounds of exploding drones as well as missiles towards commercial as well as navy vessels.

Since December, shipping firms have responded by redirecting hundreds of vessels via the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa. This more expensive and time-consuming route takes 10–14 days longer than using the Red Sea or the Suez Canal. The 139-meter Iver Huitfeldt frigate is being sent to the area by Denmark, the home of the shipping giant Maersk, as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, which was launched last month to protect merchant’s vessels.

If one thinks that the reply to the Houthis is to allow them to terrorize free world trade, then the thought process is on the wrong track, said Troels Lund Poulsen, the Defence Minister on the frigate before it set sail from the Korsor naval base. The Houthi rebels fired three anti-ship ballistic missiles in the last week toward a US-flagged container vessel that Maersk operated.

The frigate reportedly carried US-built Harpoon anti-ship missiles and ESSM surface-to-air interceptor missiles; however, it cannot defend itself/other vessels against ballistic missiles, explained Henrik Ryberg, the head of the Danish Navy Command. For years, Denmark has planned to purchase longer-range and more powerful SM-2 and SM-6 missiles to defend against ballistic missiles. However, he said it had not yet received the delivery.

Ryberg stated that Danish special operation forces, previously used for combatting pirates in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, will not take part in this operation. When the Danish Parliament passes a resolution for sending the warship into the region, which is expected on February 6, the frigate, with a crew of roughly 175, will start operations across the Red Sea. It would not take part in violent actions against the Houthis commanded by the US, the minister declared.

Around 15 per cent of all shipping activity worldwide passes through the Red Sea, with 2,500 ships from Danish shipping companies passing through it each year.

Reference: BNA

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Source: Maritime Shipping News