Operational drive on the northern flank

"Mecklenburg-Vorpommern" left Wilhelmshaven on a mission without the usual fuss.

Although family members and the music corps were present, there have been no official press invitations for the time being since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis. Parliamentary State Secretary Siemtje Möller and her Slovakian counterpart Marian Majer were present at the farewell ceremony, as a Slovakian team is also on board.

"Following an interim overhaul, the ship and crew have now completed a good nine months of operational training with a clear focus on national and alliance defence tasks," said frigate captain Hendrik Wißler, according to a statement from the Navy. The commander explained that it was now a matter of using these skills as part of the NATO rapid reaction force, demonstrating operational readiness and thus contributing to the defence of the alliance.

The area of operation has not been specified, but the North Slope area is generally defined as the sea area of the North Sea and the North Atlantic. The ship is expected to return in July.