FGS Bayern Joins EU NAVFOR Taskforce in Indian Ocean

Commanded by Commander Andreas von Kielmansegg, FGS Bayern and her crew have joined the EU NAVFOR taskforce in the Indian Ocean for a five month deployment to protect World Food Programme (WFP) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) shipping from pirate attack.

The ship and crew are completely prepared to assume their duties as a TF 465 unit and her participation continues the German contribution to the effectiveness of the task force in all its operations.

The German Frigate Bayern is a multitask warship equipped with extensive self-defence systems and carries two Lynx MK 88-A helicopters. Commissioned to the German Navy in June 1996, FGS Bayern is a 5,600 tons displacement, 138.9 meters length frigate and has 243 crew members on board.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EU NAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

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Source: eunavfor, August 4, 2011;