The German Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that the German frigate Hessen will join the European Union's naval mission under the pretext of 'securing navigation' in the Red Sea amid targetting by the Yemeni Armed Forces in support of Gaza. 

"The frigate Hessen has arrived in the Red Sea. Its mission [to ensure] safe sea lanes begins," the ministry stated on X.

Mit #EUNAVFOR #Aspides schützt Deutschland gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern die Freiheit der Seewege. Minister #Pistorius ist stolz auf die Besatzung der Fregatte Hessen👇 https://t.co/WMafbJsxQ1 pic.twitter.com/mesxgwVaIJ

— Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) February 23, 2024

Earlier this month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed plans to deploy a crew of 240 soldiers for participation, adding that the frigate carries two Sea Lynx helicopters, a medical team, marines, and a chaplain.

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Equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, the 469-foot-long warship has a radar reconnaissance system with the ability to track 1,000 targets and attack helicopters at the same time.

The ministry noted that Hessen is specifically designed for surveillance and is capable of monitoring air space with an area the size of the North Sea, as its anti-aircraft missiles can reach targets over 99 miles away.

How 'defensive' can it be?

It is predicted that the frigate will remain in the Red Sea until the end of April, according to the ministry's website, while in the second half of the year, the Hamburg frigate will be deployed.

In late January, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the European Union's security mission in the Red Sea will be "defensive" and will not involve attacks on Yemeni territory.

EU foreign policy chief Josep 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, dubbed Aspides, allegedly aims to focus solely on protecting merchant ships by intercepting Yemeni rockets. 

"It is designed to last for a year. However, if necessary, we can certainly reevaluate," a source told reporters in Brussels at the time.

After the Yemeni Armed Forces vowed to target Israeli and Israeli-bound vessels in the Red and the Arabian seas amid the ongoing aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, the Pentagon announced the establishment of a multinational operation under the pretext of "securing navigation" in the Red Sea.