The German government is advancing preparations for the navy’s potential participation in a security operation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Spiegel, the government briefed the National Security Council, which met in private, on the need to preposition a naval mine countermeasures boat in the Mediterranean. This is intended to ensure operational readiness should a multinational operation to secure the strait begin. Having the specialized vessel, designed for searching and neutralizing sea mines, in place would allow it to be deployed more quickly if such a mission commenced.
For the German federal government, prerequisites for participation include a credible ceasefire agreement among the warring parties and an international mandate for a robust multinational naval operation. This mandate could stem from a UN resolution or through an expansion of the current mandate of the EU mission Aspides, which currently focuses solely on securing shipping traffic in the Red Sea.
Overall, Spiegel reports that Germany has pledged to the group known as the “Coalition of the Willing” to contribute two mine countermeasures vessels and a supply tender for a possible mission. Furthermore, support for aerial reconnaissance is planned, to utilize a specialized sensor aircraft already active for Mission Aspides.