The German frigate Hessen’s recent deployment in the volatile waters of the Red Sea showcases a high-stress operational environment where rapid reaction times are not just crucial, but potentially life-saving.

As part of the European Union’s Operation Aspides, the Hessen and its crew of 240 displayed remarkable resilience and readiness in the face of three-dimensional threats posed by Houthi militias.

Germany’s military revealed that sailors maintained a relentless watch schedule—12 hours a day. These sailors were on guard for six hours, then had six hours off, and then went back on guard for another six hours.

The stakes during this deployment were exemplified by the crew’s need to maintain a “very high state of readiness,” as the threat environment required potential engagement with defensive weapons within a “worst case scenario” window of about ten seconds.

The Hessen repelled four Houthi attacks, escorted over two dozen commercial vessels, and engaged in kinetic action with a helicopter destroying a Houthi surface drone identified as a significant threat to civilian ships.

“This mission has demanded more from the ship and crew than ever before,” the Hessen’s Captain Volker Kübsch stated, recognizing the rigors and the high level of performance exhibited during the deployment.

In late-February, the Hessen accidentally targeted a US MQ-9 Reaper drone that was operating around the Red Sea and fired several missiles at the aircraft. A technical error in the warship’s radar system, however, spared the American combat drone.

Beyond the challenges faced by the Hessen, the regional security picture is far from stable. Sanborn Analytics, in a recent Maritime Security Bulletin, warned of the ongoing threats in the Red Sea.

They strongly advised heightened vigilance and adherence to security protocols for vessels transiting the region. This advice resonates with the operations that the Hessen and its counterparts from other nations have been conducting.

Despite its departure, the Hessen’s tenure in the Red Sea has not only served the immediate tactical objectives of protecting maritime traffic but also offered a crucible for operational experience.

As Captain Kübsch pointed out, the experience gained is valuable for the German Navy and beyond. The Hessen is one of several European warships to see combat in the Red Sea this year, alongside the US Navy, which has had an aircraft carrier and multiple other warships stationed in the region since last fall.

As the Hessen makes its way back to the German port city of Wilhelmshaven, its replacement by the frigate Hamburg in early August leaves a gap that may pose concerns for Operation Aspides. Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to show a resolve to target shipping, maintaining the Red Sea as a high-threat environment.

However, with the Houthis calling for European nations to withdraw their warships, the geopolitical dynamics are as complex as the operational challenges.

The Hessen’s deployment underscores the changing nature of modern naval warfare, where rapid response and constant vigilance are necessary in the face of asymmetric threats.

The experience garnered by the Hessen’s crew is a testament to their professionalism and a poignant reminder of the persistent dangers lurking in strategic maritime chokepoints.

Relevant articles:
– German frigate Hessen sailors were on watch 12 hours a day in the Red Sea with only seconds to react to threats in the ‘worst case scenario’, Yahoo
– NewsFlash.one on LinkedIn: German frigate Hessen sailors were on watch 12 hours a day in the Red Sea…, LinkedIn · NewsFlash.one
– German Frigate That Fought Off Houthi Drones Heads Home After 58 Days, The War Zone, 3 days ago