Iver Huitfeldt participates in Operation Agenor in the Strait of Hormuz as part of EMASOH (European Maritime Awareness in The Strait of Hormuz). The operation is purely European and was created on French initiative in the light of the events in the Strait of Hormuz in 2019. The frigate’s main task will be to ensure compliance with international conventions on free movement at sea.
“The right to free navigation is an important value. When such essential values are challenged, we must take action. As a large maritime nation, we have both enormous interest and a responsibility to participate. It is a professionally strong team we send off. I have great respect for their selfless efforts, and would like to thank both them and their families for their significant contribution to security and peace “
Danish Minister of Defense Trine Bramsen
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s Frigate HNLMS De Ruyter was previously deployed in the area for Agenor since the beginning of the operation (alongside French Frigate Forbin). The frigate left the operation on June 10 to join the EUNAVFOR operation Atalanta. French Frigate Languedoc is now in the area since mid-may, relieving Forbin.
About Iver Huitfeld-class
The Iver Huitfeldt-class is a 138 meters long anti-air warfare frigates of 6600 tonnes displacement, built by Odense Staalskibsvaerft for the Royal Danish Navy. Three have been built and all of them were commissionned in 2011.
The hull design of the Iver Huitfeldt-class is derived from the Absalon-class. The 32-cell Mk. 41 vertical missile launcher and 4 Standard Flex container positions amidships makes this platform a highly capable AAW frigate. The armament further includes two 76 mm OTO Melara guns forward and one 35 mm CIWS (Millennium) gun aft. They can carry an MH-60 helicopter.
The Standard Flex concept is a combination of standard platforms and different exchangeable weapon and system modules to match different missions or roles. Sensors and systems common to all roles are permanently fitted. As a truly “plug and play” concept it offers unique operational flexibility and exceptional lifelong logistic and financial advantages.
Mains specifications
- Displacement: 6 600 tonnes (full load)
- Length: 138m
- Beam: 19.75m
- Draft: 5.3m
- Propulsion: 4 MTU 8000 20V M70 diesel engines. 2 shafts, CODAD
- Speed: 28 knots
- Range: 9 000 nautical miles @15 knots
- Crew: 117 (total accommodation 165)
- Weapons: 4 × Mk 41 VLS with up to 32 SM-2 IIIA surface-to-air missiles ; 2 × Mk 56 VLS with up to 24 RIM-162 ESSM ; Harpoon block SSM; 1 × 35mm CIWS ; 2× OTO Melara 76 mm; 2 × dual MU90 Impact ASW torpedo launchers
About operation ‘Agenor’
“Agenor” is a maritime surveillance operation which aims to strengthen Europe’s ability to assess the situation and monitor maritime activity, and to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Arabian Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Headquartered in the French naval base in Abu Dhabi, the TF 474 (Task Force 474) brings together French, Dutch, Danish, Belgian, Greeks, Portuguese, Italians and Germans military. This multinational operation has been implemented at the initiative of France.
The Languedoc (French Navy) is currently under operational control and tactical command of the operation. Besides the vessel, AGENOR since March includes an Atlantique 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and 20 personnel from the French Navy’s Flotille 23F squadron deployed at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
