Last month, while operating in the Red Sea as part of the United States-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, the Danish air defense frigate Iver Huitfeldt was captured on video intercepting several Houthi explosive drones. The vessel employed RIM-162 Sea Sparrow missiles and its OTO Melara 76mm main guns to counter the drone threat effectively. Despite the successful interception, the mission encountered significant challenges.
The frigate’s deployment was prematurely concluded due to critical malfunctions with its censor systems, which adversely affected the Sea Sparrow missile launches. Additionally, issues with the ammunition for the OTO Melara 76mm main guns compromised the vessel’s air defense capabilities for an extended period of over 30 minutes during the drone attack. These disruptions were reported by the Danish media outlet Olfi, highlighting the severity of the technical difficulties faced by the frigate.
In the aftermath of these incidents, General Flemming Lentfer, the Danish Chief of Defense, was relieved of his duties. Investigations revealed by Olfi indicated that some of the technical issues experienced by the Iver Huitfeldt had been known for years, raising concerns about operational readiness and oversight. It was later disclosed that the Ministry of Defense had not been informed of these persistent issues until recently, sparking further inquiries into the matter and the overall management of defense assets under Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Footage of a Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt frigate shooting down two Houthi missiles/drones pic.twitter.com/xkOkIuVw6N
—
OSINTNic (@OSINTNic) April
3, 2024
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