VIBEN heads for home:

Participation in the Lebanon force almost finished

Shortage of ships and personnel means that the Danish Navy's participation in UNIFIL won't be extended beyond the current deployment, which ends in August.

The guided missile vessel VIBEN is here seen off the coast of Lebanon.
(Photo: Royal Danish Navy)

By Johnny E. Balsved

Participation in the Lebanon force almost finished. Shortage of ships and personnel means that the Danish Navy’s participation in UNIFIL won't be extended beyond the current deployment, which ends in August.

According to several sources, the Danish Government has decided not to extend Denmark's military contribution to the UN military force off the coast of Lebanon (UNIFIL). The mission was originally set to last until March 31, but the Danish participation in UNIFIL was extended in the Spring until August 31, 2007.

According to DR news, Jacob Winther, Chief Press Officer for the Danish Ministry of Defense, says that there are simply not enough ships and personnel for the task in hand.

One vessel and support unit

The Danish contribution to UNIFIL currently consists of the missile boat VIBEN and her 29-strong crew, together with a supporting unit of 20 personnel and a liaison officer on the staff of the German Commander Task Force 448.

Initially Denmark contributed two vessels to the force, as the missile boats GLENTEN and RAVNEN had joined the German-led UN naval force as early as October 4, 2007, but these two vessels were relieved by VIBEN around Christmas.

Right from the start the base has been Limassol on Cyprus, where the supporting unit been from the start of the deployment.

Initially the Navy intended to also contribute the corvette PETER TORDENSKIOLD to the force; however this was not approved by the UN and the corvette returned from Wilhelmshaven, where she had already arrived.

Itinerary set for the return journey

The Danish mandate doesn't expire until 31 August, but it's expected that VIBEN will leave Limassol for the journey home to Korsør as early as August 15.

The itinerary has already been available on the Danish Navy's Operations Command Website for a week, according to which the Missile Boat is expected to call at Valetta, Malta (August 18-19), Rota (August 22-23), La Coruna (August 25-26), Cherbourg (August 27-28) and finally Cuxhaven in Germany on August 30.

It's not yet been announced when the vessel will enter Korsør.

The A Team of the Mobile Operational Logistic Support Team is here seen in Limassol last year.
(Photo: Royal Danish Navy)

Translated by Alan Russel (November 19, 2007)

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This page was first published: July 26, 2007 (November 19, 2007)

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