The vessel has been chasing Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, however the Danish officials apparently regard Russia's supposed threat to Turkey graver than that to its merchant fleet.
The move is a “direct result” of the Russia’s increased activity in Syria, according to the local newspaper Jyllands-Posten.
According to the country’s Defense Minister Peter Christensen, the situation off the Somali coast is ”so positive” that now they could redeploy Absalon to the Mediterranean. The politician added that there is no indication that the pirates will return into the area as soon as the vessel leaves the waters.
The two Absalon Class vessels, built by Odense Steel Shipyard for the Danish Navy, are flexible support ships (combat support ships). The ships can be equipped for naval warfare, land attack, strategic sealift missions or as a command platform. They can also be configured as hospital ships or for emergency disaster relief.
HDMS Absalon (L16) was launched in February 2004 and commissioned into the Royal Danish Navy in July 2004. The second of class, Esbern Snare (L17), was launched in June 2004 and commissioned in February 2005.
