On Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10 a.m., the frigate “Baden-Württemberg” will set sail for the mandated foreign mission UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).
The crew, under the command of frigate captain Bastian Saphörster, will carry out maritime surveillance and training of the Lebanese Navy off the Lebanese coast.
“Despite relatively recent experience of the “Baden-Württemberg” at UNIFIL 2024, the security situation in the eastern Mediterranean has not improved since the escalation in the Middle East this spring,” said the commander. “That’s why I’m happy about intensive operational preparation at the beginning of the year – and about being able to rely on my crew 100%.”
The frigate will first transfer to Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea to replace the frigate “North Rhine-Westphalia” and take over the mission seamlessly.
With around 170 soldiers, the frigate will leave its home port of Wilhelmshaven. In addition to the regular crew, the crew of the “Baden-Württemberg” is supplemented by on-board personnel from the Sea Battalion from Eckernförde.