Hessen, a German air defense frigate, is being deployed to the Red Sea

The German air defense frigate Hessen set sail from Wilhelmshaven toward the Red Sea, backing international naval protection for cargo ships transiting the commercial route. The ship awaits national and European Union mandates to push for the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant vessels with drones and missiles. The Hessen is one of three Sachsen-class ships in the service’s fleet and is tasked with a prospective deployment under the EU’s Aspides mission, lasting “for a few months.” Meanwhile, Houthi attacks against merchant ships have continued despite American and British strikes aimed at curtailing the group’s weapons-launching capabilities. The situation in the Red Sea is described as “fraught,” with ships in the force firing on a daily basis, according to a BBC report. Sebastian Sprenger is an associate editor for Europe at Defense News, reporting on the state of the defense market in the region.