German ship FGS Hessen destroys Unmanned Sea Vehicle

On March 21th 2024, at 09:0 a.m. (Djibouti time), an EUNAVFOR ASPIDES warship (FGS HESSEN) while providing close protection to a merchant vessel of EU interest in South of the Red Sea, engaged and destroyed an Unmanned Sea Vehicle (USV) coming from Houthi controlled-territories in Yemen and posing a direct and imminent threat to the freedom of navigation. The action performed by FGS HESSEN was effective in avoiding any damage to seafarers and merchant shipping.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES continues its mission in full compliance with international law, protecting shipping targeted by attacks at sea or air. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES has a defensive mandate, any response will always come as a consequence of an attack and be necessary, proportionate and limited to international sea or air-space.

@EUNAVFORASPIDES @deutschemarine