Germany is prepared to contribute minehunters to a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran war ends, dpa learnt from government sources on Thursday.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to offer German participation for a possible military mission during talks planned for Friday initiated by France and the UK, the sources said.
Following the end of hostilities, the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr would provide minehunters, an escort ship and aerial surveillance for such a mission if certain conditions are met, they said.
Bundeswehr has eight minehunters
The Bundeswehr has eight minehunters and two mine-diver deployment boats. How many of these could be used is still unclear. Merz is not expected to give figures on Friday, according to the information.
The Bundeswehr’s minehunters, which are more than 50 metres long, have a core crew of 42 soldiers, which can be expanded by mine divers.
For aerial surveillance, the navy has two P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft available, equipped with radar, acoustic systems and high-resolution optics. These usually carry 11 soldiers on board.
A supply ship would accompany the mine-clearance vessels as is customary for such operations.
Several conditions for deployment
From the German government’s point of view, several conditions must first be met for such a deployment, the most important of which is a ceasefire in the Iran war. Berlin has ruled out a deployment during ongoing fighting.
In addition, the deployment must be underpinned by international law, “ideally” through a mandate from the UN Security Council, government sources said.
The third condition is a “robust military concept,” which the Paris conference is intended to help develop. From the German point of view, this also includes “significant” support for the mission by US armed forces.
French President Emmanuel Macron, by contrast, is envisaging an operation without the warring parties, which include Israel as well as the United States and Iran.
The German lower house of parliament or Bundestag must approve the deployment, like any armed overseas Bundeswehr mission. The coalition parliamentary groups were informed on Thursday about the government’s plans.
German frigates tied up in the North Atlantic
The Bundeswehr’s frigates will not be deployed because they are heavily tied up in a NATO formation in the North Atlantic. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius decided only at the end of March to send two German frigates to the mission to relieve British forces.
Increased NATO presence in the North Atlantic is seen as a response to Russia’s military activities there.
Friday’s Paris talks, initiated by Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will also include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in addition to Merz, meaning all four European members of the Group of Seven leading democratic industrialized nations will be there.