In a recent report, it has emerged that the frigate “Iver Huitfeldt” experienced critical failures during a drone attack in the Red Sea in March, where the ship’s last line of defense, a 35mm cannon, failed. This incident has had major consequences and led to the dismissal of Denmark’s Chief of Defense. During the attack, where the ship was targeted by four drones, several of the frigate’s defense systems failed. It was revealed that a malfunction on the ship’s MK56 launcher prevented the use of Evolved Sea Sparrow air defense missiles for half an hour. Previous assumptions pointed to problems with the ship’s radar or C2 system as possible causes of the breakdown. According to the latest report, the ship’s 35mm cannon only became operational again after shooting down the fourth and final drone. Additionally, the ship’s 76mm cannon also experienced issues, as several shells detonated shortly after firing due to faulty ammunition that was over 30 years old. Ship captain Sune Lund has stated that the technical failures could have had serious consequences if there had been more drones involved in the attack.
These errors were only fully acknowledged several days after the incident, leading to criticism of the Defense Command and the Ministry of Defense for lack of communication and transparency. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has acknowledged that the situation was not handled satisfactorily and has promised improvements in future procedures to ensure better information and handling of similar situations. This case has also sparked a broader discussion about aging military equipment and the need for updates to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the defense forces. This incident and its aftermath have underscored the importance of reliable and modern defense equipment, as well as the importance of clear communication lines in critical situations.