The Danish Armed Forces confirmed the move in a statement, adding that Denmark will continue to lead the alliance’s naval force during the second half of 2024.
Initially, Denmark was set to lead NATO’s fleet using the Iver Huitfeldt as the flagship.
However, following a mission in the Red Sea in March, when the frigate experienced system failures and defective ammunition during an attack, the vessel was deemed unfit for further deployment.
As a result, Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen informed the Danish parliament in June that the frigate would not be available for sailing service.
Norwegian support
In response to the frigate’s issues, Denmark offered to fulfil its NATO obligations from Danish naval stations.
However, the command responsibilities have now been transferred earlier than planned to a Norwegian ship.
The head of Denmark’s Naval Command, Henrik Ryberg, thanked Norway for accommodating the Danish force commander’s contribution.
“I am very happy that the Danish force commander has now been given the opportunity to come aboard the Norwegian ship. I would like to thank our Norwegian partners for making this possible,” Ryberg said in the statement.
The transfer of the Danish force commander’s duties to a Norwegian unit was always part of the plan, the Armed Forces noted, but is now happening two months earlier than originally scheduled.
Media coverage of malfunction led to dismissal of defence chief
The Iver Huitfeldt’s system failures came to light only after defence media outlet Olfi reported the incident, leading to significant fallout within Denmark’s military leadership.
This included the dismissal of defence chief Flemming Lentfer and the appointment of Hyldgaard as the acting defence chief.
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