HESSEN

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Latest news

Drinking water contaminated in suspected attack

There has apparently been an attack on the "Hessen" on FEb 20, 2025, in Wilhelmshaven at the Heppenser Groden naval base in Wilhelmshaven, where the ship is currently being serviced. Unknown persons have contaminated the frigate's drinking water system with used oil. An external company from Lower Saxony was entrusted with filling the fresh water tanks. Insiders believed thatan accidental contamination was unlikely. Rather, there was a suspicion that the "Hessen" was deliberately sabotaged in order to prevent its imminent deployment. The damage was apparently limited. An attentive crew member discovered the contamination early on, so that large-scale contamination could be prevented. Otherwise, extensive cleaning of the systems could have been necessary. The Wilhelmshaven police confirmed that they were investigating in cooperation with the German armed forces. The Ministry of Defense also spoke of a "possible security-related incident" and emphasized that both military and civilian investigative authorities were investigating the matter. The Federal Office for Military Counterintelligence Service (BAMAD) is also involved in the investigation.

Frigate thwarted another Houthi attack

The “Hessen” has repelled another attack while deployed to protect merchant ships in the Red Sea on April 6 on the afternoon. The incoming missile could be destroyed. The “Hessen” has been in operation in the Red Sea since the end of February to protect merchant ships against attacks by the Houthi militia operating from Yemen. The operation is part of the EU military mission “Aspides”. On its 4th day of operations, the frigate had already shot down two Houthi drones. In mid-March it repelled an attack with a surface drone against a civilian ship.

Helicopter shot down drone

On March 21 at 9 a.m. the 'Hessen', while providing close protection to a merchant vessel of EU interest in the Southern Red Sea, has destroyed a Houthi drone in the Red Sea, which targeted a civil towing association. It was destroyed with the ship's own helicopter. No further details were mentioned for operational reasons. The ship is tasked to protect merchant ships in the frame of the NATO mssion Aspides.