The frigate left Denmark on 10 August and sailed via the English Channel, the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Iver Huitfeldt is now in the Arabian Sea heading for the Strait of Hormuz.
“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.
“A large part of the world is still dependent on oil exports from the Arabian Gulf, and therefore this strait has great significance for large parts of the world economy. Danish ships also often sail through the Strait of Hormuz and thus constitute an important source of prosperity and employment in Denmark. At the same time, Denmark is the world’s 5th largest maritime nation – therefore we also have a responsibility to ensure free shipping through the strait,”
Danish MoD
Once in the Strait of Hormuz, the Danish vessel will monitor and establish a picture of the maritime situation which will support the free movement of shipping in the area. Parts of the crew are replaced on an ongoing basis. There are about 160 soldiers on board.
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
