U35 returns from EU deployment after 4 months

The submarine U35 is expected back at its home base in Eckernförde on Friday, 13 January 2023 at 10 a.m. The 30 men and one woman of the DELTA crew, led by frigate captain Nils Kirschall (44), spent almost four months in the Mediterranean.

As part of the EU mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (European Union Naval Force Mediterranean IRINI), the submarine was involved in enforcing the United Nations arms embargo against Libya. A number of harbours in the Mediterranean were visited during this period. One of the highlights of the voyage was the visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on board the Eckernförde submarine in Valetta/Malta last October. At Christmas, the U35 was in transit back home and the crew spent the New Year in Portugal.

Background information

The Bundeswehr has been participating in the European Union Naval Forces Mediterranean IRINI (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) mission in the central Mediterranean since 7 May 2020. According to a recent decision by the German Bundestag, up to 300 soldiers can be deployed.

The European Union is working to enforce the United Nations arms embargo against Libya and is contributing to the peace process in the country through the Common Security and Defence Policy military operation in the Mediterranean. Irini (modern Greek for "the peaceful one") has as its core mission the implementation of the UN arms embargo using aircraft, satellites and ships. This includes detecting, stopping and searching ships suspected of smuggling weapons to Libya in the area of operation (UN Security Council Resolution 2292 [2016]).

Other tasks of the mission include monitoring and collecting information on illegal exports of oil, crude oil and refined petroleum products from Libya. EUNAVFOR MED supports the capacity building of the Libyan coastguard/navy and the training of law enforcement tasks at sea. Targeted disruption of the "human smuggling and trafficking" business model is achieved by gathering information and passing it on to the relevant law enforcement authorities of the EU member states.

Seven European nations are currently participating in the operation with around 1,000 soldiers and civilian personnel. The command of the operation alternates between Italy and Greece every six months.