Reports indicate the discovery of several kilograms of metal shavings within the engine system of a new corvette.
German authorities have initiated an investigation into a possible act of sabotage against a newly commissioned warship following the discovery of numerous kilograms of metal shavings in its engine system, as reported by German media on Tuesday. The issue with the corvette Emden was reportedly detected during a Hamburg shipyard inspection last month, shortly before its maiden voyage, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR.
The 89-meter vessel, intended for Baltic Sea deployment, had not yet been delivered to the German Navy when the shavings were found. The report suggests this could have caused substantial damage if not discovered promptly.
The German Navy operates five corvettes of this class, including the Emden, primarily for maritime surveillance.
A shipyard spokesperson confirmed to the media that the Emden recently completed “a successful sea trial,” but offered no further comment.
The Hamburg prosecutor’s office and local criminal police are investigating the incident.
While the report doesn’t directly implicate Moscow, it suggests that Germany, alongside other NATO members, suspects Russia’s potential involvement in covert actions against Western interests.
The article cites a recent police investigation into drone sightings over a northern German air base used for Ukrainian training, highlighting a concerning trend of drone activity near German military and industrial sites.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, German Navy Chief Jan Christian Kaack declined to comment specifically on the Emden sabotage allegations but acknowledged previous acts of sabotage against German warships.
“Our assessment: We are being tested,” he stated, without naming any suspects.
“The growing threat from Russia is more significant at the start of 2025 than it was two years ago,” Kaack noted. “Experts and intelligence services agree that Russia will be in a position to seek conflict with NATO from 2029 onwards,” he added.
Russia denies any intention of attacking NATO nations, with President Vladimir Putin dismissing warnings of Russian aggression as “nonsense” designed to alarm the public and inflate Western defense budgets.
This incident follows a series of events involving damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, fueling speculation about potential Russian involvement. However, Western officials have avoided making direct accusations.
Moscow has dismissed allegations of its involvement as “absurd.”
Meanwhile, NATO has heightened its Baltic Sea presence and patrols, citing an alleged Russian threat and the need to protect underwater infrastructure.
The Baltic Sea – a strategically important area for Russian naval operations and energy exports – has become, in Moscow’s words, an “internal lake of NATO” following Finland and Sweden’s accession to the alliance, leaving Russia with only a small section of the coastline under its control.