Denmark embarks on the Strait of Hormuz alongside the French
(B2) It is now confirmed. Denmark will participate in the European mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH), alongside the Dutch (1) and the French
First staff officers, then a frigate
Copenhagen will first provide, from the start of the operation (early 2020), one or two staff officers at the operation's HQ, in the French headquarters in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) , for a period of at least twelve months. It will then, from the fall of 2020, make available a frigate with 150 personnel and a helicopter, for a period of four months. The decision was announced by the government on Thursday (December 12) after consulting the foreign policy committee on military contributions. UA bill will be presented to Parliament before the commitment.
A maritime country
« It is important that Denmark, as an important maritime nation with a strong navy, takes our responsibilities justified Defense Minister Trine Bramsen. " Denmark is the fifth largest maritime country in the world. We therefore have a special interest and a special responsibility in ensuring maritime safety and freedom of navigation - also in the Strait of Hormuz added his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Jeppe Kofod. This contribution must also be returned to the " alongside other efforts in the region, including the US-led maritime security effort, the IMSC " he added. Efforts to " complement[ed] with diplomatic initiatives aimed at strengthening dialogue on maritime security in the region ».
A well-known environment
For the Danish Navy, these Gulf waters are not an unknown environment. We remember that a Danish ship had regularly been present in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia, to fight against maritime piracy, with in particular the frigate Absalon or the frigate Esbern Snare. It was even one of the first navies to be present in the area, along with the French and Spanish. (read for example: Danes arrest 10 pirate suspects off Somalia). And its ships continue to be present in particular within the framework of CTF missions on American initiative.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
For details of the 'Ormuz' operation, read: The future European maritime operation in the Strait of Hormuz. Framework, format, tempo, legal basis… Details
