Delivery of Watercat 2000 Vessels to the Royal Danish Navy
Marine Alutech has successfully delivered two Watercat 2000 NATO-standard patrol vessels to the Royal Danish Navy as part of a military sale in 2023. The formal handover took place at Naval Station Korsør, where officials from Denmark’s Ministry of Defence received the newly acquired vessels, which are designed to enhance maritime security and support international missions.
The two 20-meter (66-foot) boats, named HDMS Hugin (A547) and HDMS Munin (A548), will be operated by the navy’s 3rd Squadron alongside the Danish national police. These vessels will replace older patrol craft, specifically the HDMS Vikar (A545) and HDMS Stella Polaris (A546), which were originally built as pilot vessels in the late 1990s and integrated into the Frontex operations in 2019.
Role in Frontex Operations
Copenhagen has already deployed the HDMS Hugin to the Mediterranean area of responsibility under Frontex, joining a coalition led by Italian forces aimed at securing the EU’s external territories. This proactive move underscores Denmark’s commitment to contributing to the EU’s border control efforts and addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration.
Denmark’s Immigration and Integration Minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, emphasized the importance of these new vessels during the handover ceremony. He stated that the borders of Europe are also Denmark’s borders, highlighting the serious threat that irregular migration poses to the continent’s cohesion.
A Unified Response to Migration Challenges
Minister Bek expressed the necessity for European countries to unite in protecting their external borders. He remarked that it is vital for nations, even those far from the Mediterranean like Denmark, to acknowledge and respond to the significant challenges faced by countries such as Italy and Greece in managing migration.
He further reinforced that the addition of the HDMS Hugin and HDMS Munin to Denmark’s fleet is a significant step in supporting Frontex and enhancing the country’s contributions to safeguarding its borders. This strategic move reflects Denmark’s commitment to play an active role in addressing the complexities of migration and border security.
