“We clearly understand that the problem has been known for years without the sense of urgency necessary to resolve the problem,” the frigate commander reportedly wrote.
The warship eventually repelled the attack by the Iran-backed Houthis, downing four drones over the Red Sea.
Poulsen said he was unaware of the frigate’s flaws until media reports of the incident, adding that Lentfer would leave his post immediately, with Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard replacing him as defense chief with interim.
Houthi militants have repeatedly attacked dozens of ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with drones and missiles since October, claiming to target Israel-linked vessels in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel has invaded in response to the October 7 massacre. of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 others by Hamas militants. But the vast majority of ships attacked are neither Israeli nor intended for the country.
“With the challenges we face, a new defense chief is needed,” Poulsen said during a press briefing on Wednesday, according to local media.
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