Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

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

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Feb 2024 21:59
  • 15 Shares
4 Min Read

German Frigate Hessen fired at a US MQ-9 drone in the Red Sea and the interceptors failed, twice.

  • x
  • A view of the frigate
    A view of the frigate "Hessen" in harbor, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, Feb. 8, 2024 (AP)

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. 

Related News

Germany's 'Hessen' frigate joins EU mission to Red Sea for 'safe sea'

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

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. 

  • Hessen
  • Germany
  • Yemen
  • Red Sea
  • US Drones

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS