According to Murphy’s Law is something can go wrong it usually will and in the case of this German warship it went wrong in the worse possible way!
According to Marine.de The SM 2 rocket had been fired from its tank in the vertical take-off system just in front of the ship’s bridge. In view of the risk of fire on deck the crew responded quickly and perfectly correct. The sprinkler system also started clearing immediately. There were initially two injured soldiers. Both have recovered. There was, however, visible material damage on the ship.
The air defense frigate “Sachsen” is currently with the submarine hunting frigate “Lübeck” north of the Arctic Circle in a test and training area of the NATO partner Norway. Following the incident, both ships entered the Norwegian port of Harstad on the morning of 22 June.
The air defense frigate “Sachsen” is currently with the submarine hunting frigate “Lübeck” north of the Arctic Circle in a test and training area of the NATO partner Norway. Following the incident, both ships entered the Norwegian port of Harstad on the morning of 22 June.
“We have to practice realistically, so that we are ready for action in case of emergency, also for the national and alliance defense,” said the marine inspector, Vice Admiral Andreas Krause. This would involve calculable risks, as the incident on the “Sachsen” shows. “Nevertheless, our crews are highly motivated and ready to do their best.” Krause is relieved that the crew is well, despite the exceptional situation, as the ship’s commander, Frigate Captain Mirko Wilcken, could already report.
Before firing the rocket, there had…