German frigates to trade places at the helm of NATO group

German Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Type F123 frigate FGS Brandenburg is set to deploy to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) to relieve another German frigate, the Type F124 FGS Sachsen, as flagship of the task force.

The lead ship in the class of four German Navy F123 frigates, FGS Brandenburg is scheduled to leave her homeport of Wilhelmshaven on March 20 and spend the next six months deployed to the group.

SNMG2 has been led by FGS Sachsen since December 2016, when she took over the role from Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter.

The group recently participated in an exercise with the Hellenic Navy in the Aegean Sea while some of the group’s ships are currently taking part in the Italian-hosted anti-submarine warfare drill Dynamic Manta.

The crew of the Brandenburg is set to return from the Mediterranean Sea in September this year.

FGS Brandenburg is embarking on the deployment after having experienced a fire outbreak on board in October last year. According to the German Navy, the fire was located in the starboard funnel area and was extinguished by the ship’s crew. A part of the ship’s propulsion plant was damaged and had to be repaired.