Several kilograms of metal shavings have been found in the engine system of the new corvette, media outlets have reported
Germany has launched an investigation into potential sabotage involving a newly commissioned warship after several dozen kilograms of metal shavings were discovered in its engine system, local media reported on Tuesday.
The issue with the corvette-class Emden was reportedly discovered during an inspection at a shipyard in Hamburg last month shortly before its first departure, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the broadcasters NDR and WDR.
The 89-meter-long warship, intended for deployment in the Baltic Sea, had not yet been delivered to the German Navy when the metal shavings were discovered. This could have caused significant damage to the vessel if not detected in time, the report said.
The German Navy has commissioned a total of five corvette-class ships, including the Emden, which is set to be used for maritime surveillance.
A shipyard spokesperson told the media that the Emden recently completed “a successful sea trial,” but declined to comment further.
The incident is now under investigation by the Hamburg regional prosecutor’s office and the local criminal police.
While the report did not provide evidence linking Moscow to the incident, it claimed that Germany, along with other NATO countries, suspects Russia could be behind covert actions targeting the West.
The article cited a recent police investigation into drone sightings over a northern German air base where Ukrainian forces are trained, claiming the incident is part of a growing trend of drones being spotted over military and industrial sites in Germany.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, German Navy Chief Jan Christian Kaack refrained from commenting on the sabotage allegations regarding the Emden, but stated that several German warships had previously sustained damage due to acts of sabotage.
“Our assessment: We are being tested,” he said, without specifying who the Navy suspects to be responsible for these acts.
“The growing threat from Russia is more pressing at the beginning of 2025 than it was two years ago,” Kaack said. “Experts and intelligence services agree that Russia will be in a position to seek conflict with NATO from 2029 onwards,” he added.
Russia has denied having any intention of attacking NATO states, with President Vladimir Putin describing warnings about Russian aggression as “nonsense” aimed at alarming citizens and increasing defense budgets in the West.
The warship case follows a string of incidents involving damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, with speculation that Russia could have played a role. Western officials have refrained, however, from making direct accusations.
Moscow has dismissed allegations of its involvement as “absurd.”
Meanwhile, NATO has increased its Baltic Sea presence and stepped up patrols in the region on the pretext of an alleged Russian threat and protecting undersea infrastructure.
The Baltic Sea – a strategic area for Russian naval operations and energy exports – became, as Moscow put it, an “internal lake of NATO” after Finland and Sweden joined the alliance, which left Russia controlling only a small portion of the coastline.
