Germany to deploy minesweeper ships

25/04/2026

BERLIN, Apr 25: Germany is preparing to deploy minesweeper vessels to the Mediterranean Sea, with the possibility of later transferring them to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday.

In an interview with the Rheinische Post, Pistorius confirmed that Berlin will send a minesweeper along with a command and supply ship as part of the initial deployment. However, he did not specify a timeline for when the vessels would depart.

The minister indicated that, following any de-escalation in tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, the ships could be reassigned to the Strait of Hormuz. Such a move, he noted, would require approval from Germany’s parliament.

“To save time, we have decided to deploy part of the German units to the Mediterranean early on so that — once the mandate is approved — we do not lose any further time,” Pistorius said.