Denmark to Send Frigate to support anti-Houthis Red Sea Naval Operation

Denmark will send a frigate to participate in the U.S.-led Red Sea operation at the end of January, the Danish Defence Minister said on Friday.

Several countries, led by the United States, agreed to patrol the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to safeguard commercial shipping against attacks by Houthi’s in the area.

The USA has established Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG), which is to ensure the right to free navigation in the area. OPG is established under the existing US-led multinational maritime coalition, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Denmark currently contributes three staff officers to CMF, including one staff officer to OPG.

In January, the government will present a resolution proposal to the Danish parliament, with the aim to contribute to the security of the Red Sea with a frigate that can be deployed from the end of January.

“We are concerned about the serious situation unfolding in the Red Sea, where the unprovoked attacks against civilian shipping continue. It is of crucial importance for both Danish and international ship traffic and for the development of the region that you can sail safely in the area,” said Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

“Denmark already contributes to maritime security in the area, and the government wants to increase the contribution by deploying a Danish frigate. We will submit a resolution proposal to the Danish Parliament about this in the new year.”

The decision to send a Danish frigate was made following consultation with the Foreign Policy Council.

This is in response to the fact that the security situation in the area has escalated following a series of attacks on ships in the Southern Red Sea, including hijackings and attacks with ballistic missiles and drones.

Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said: “The attacks in and around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden threaten maritime security, our shipping industry and global trade. As a major maritime nation, we have a responsibility to strengthen maritime security.”

“We are now doing that with the frigate contribution to the American-led coalition. It cannot go unchallenged when the Houthis, in an already heightened security situation, attack international shipping.”