Sabotage Suspected in Newly Built German Warship Incident

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A German warship, the Korvette Emden, is reportedly the target of sabotage attempts while still under construction at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg. According to various sources, including WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, several kilograms of metal shavings were dumped into the warship's propulsion system in early January, potentially causing significant damage. The sabotage was discovered during a routine inspection ahead of the vessel's maiden voyage through the Nord-Ostsee Canal in mid-January.

Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy, addressed the incident during the Navy Talks in Berlin, noting instances of "destruction, or sabotage" on multiple units, though he did not confirm specifics regarding the Emden, as it is not yet part of the fleet. The Landeskriminalamt Hamburg is reportedly investigating the matter. Kaack emphasized that such incidents are part of broader attempts to test and destabilize military readiness, as well as the societal confidence in national defense.

The Emden, which was named in May 2024, is one of five Korvettes ordered by the Bundeswehr as part of a €2 billion investment.

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