Suspected Sabotage Strikes German Navy Again
The German Navy may have fallen victim to another act of sabotage, according to ongoing investigations.
The State Prosecutor’s Office in Rostock has initiated an investigation into "sabotage of defense equipment," a spokesperson confirmed. The inquiry stems from reported damage discovered on a mine-hunting vessel, as revealed by Der Spiegel weekly.
Limited Information Released
The State Prosecutor’s Office declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and its "sensitive security relevance."
Suspicious Findings
According to Der Spiegel’s report, the damage was discovered on the mine-hunting vessel while it was undergoing maintenance at a shipyard in Rostock last year. Investigators found that multiple wiring harnesses had been severed behind external panels of the warship.
Sabotage Suspected
Experts have ruled out attempted cable theft as the cause of the damage, leading to suspicions of sabotage. "Therefore, one suspects an act of sabotage," Der Spiegel reported.
Past Incidents
This alleged incident is not the first instance of suspected sabotage involving German warships. "There has been destruction, that is, sabotage, on more than one unit," Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the Navy, revealed during an interview at the Navy Talks in Berlin last week. He added that measures have been implemented at shipyards in response to these incidents.
Alleged Targeting of Corvette "Emden"
Kaack’s comments came in response to a report by WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, which alleged that the corvette "Emden," which is under construction at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg but has not yet been delivered to the Navy, had been targeted by sabotage. The Inspector declined to explicitly confirm the incident, stating that the ship was not yet formally part of the Navy.
Metal Shavings Found in Propulsion System
The report claimed that an inspection in January discovered several kilograms of metal shavings dumped into the warship’s propulsion system. Undiscovered, this could have caused significant damage.
Ongoing Investigations
The investigations into the suspected sabotage incidents are ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as the inquiries progress. The German Navy and German authorities are taking these allegations seriously and are committed to ensuring the security and integrity of their vessels and equipment.
