Danish frigate hit by radar failure, faulty ammo

During an attack on Danish frigate ‘Iver Huitfeldt’ by drones, the ship encountered radar failure and defective ammunition in the Red Sea in March. A vital defense system failed, as the frigate could not fire its air defense missile for half an hour. The central defense system malfunctioning forced the use of cannons, but half the shells detonated prematurely and were ineffective. Commanding officer Sune Lund warned of the severe implications for combat efficiency and survival due to high ammunition consumption. Lund noted that all shells are over 30 years old and unfit for combat. The defense ministry’s procurement agency advised using two smaller radars instead of the main radar. The Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed his surprise at the issues which were not previously known to him. Jens Wenzel, a defense analyst, underscores the gravity of malfunctioning defense systems on the ship’s safety and crew.