Germany is sending its F123 frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to the Mediterranean Sea and EU’s migrant-rescue operation Sophia.
The Brandenburg-class frigate is set to depart the German Willhelmshaven navy base on August 7 to join the mission for the second time.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern previously contributed to the EUNAVFOR mission in the second part of 2016.
The frigate’s mission stays the same this year with the only difference being the presence of a Slovakian boarding team on board.
The crew, led by German Navy frigate captain Christian Schultze, is set to spend the next six months in the Mediterranean Sea combating human trafficking and arms smuggling in the region.
FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a 138-meters-long ship, armed with Exocet MM 38, Sea Sparrow and RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) missiles. It is the final of four frigates in its class.