This morning watched a three ship German naval group depart Portsmouth UK comprising frigates Emden and Hessen and the supply ship Frankfurt Am Main.

One thing I noted was that the Emden had her Harpoon launchers removed. The support struts were there but not the tubes themselves.

I guess this represents Germany following the lead of other countries in determining that SSM's are not required in the current environment.

Yeah, there does seem to be a generalized move away SSMs, at least in some operational environments, though this could just as easily be simply an occasion when Emden wasn't carrying Harpoons.

 

There have been many times when I have seen NATO ships come and go through this port (St. John's), carrying less than their full complement of missiles, and other times when they appeared to be fully loaded out.

 

For example, Emden sister Karlsruhe two summers ago ...

 

Hmm, Looking at the Photos I took yesterday I see that Hessen has also had her Harpoons removed too.

 

I suppose the chance of Ship to Ship combat in the North Atlantic is a pretty remote scenario now.

 

Also cannot see the point of wasting an SSM on a pirate Dhow

 

If things go SNAFU in the Gulf, I would hope US airpower would terminate any surface threat very quickly.

 

However I wish that Dauntless would get some fitted before the journey to the South Atlantic. To rely entirely on an 'assumed' SSN as the surface deterrent worries me a little.

 

Even if Sea Viper and Phalanx handles the Exocet inbounds, a Harpoon in return should discourage the surface units. Not dicounting Sea Skua...but......!

 

I know the chances of anything getting out of hand is remote...but you never know.