German Addition

The German frigate ‘Niedersachsen’ has joined the European Union’s counter-piracy naval force operating in the Indian Ocean. It is equipped with extensive self defence and has two Sea Lynx MK-88 helicopters at its disposal.

Deployed to protect vulnerable vessels, especially those of the World Food Programme, ‘Niedersachsen’ will act to deter and prevent acts of piracy, and to contribute to monitoring fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.

F-208 ‘Niedersachsen’ holds 215 crew members, including 14 officers. She has been commissioned for service in the German Navy since 1982, has a displacement of 3,680 tonnes and a length of 130 metres.