HDMS Esbern Snare (L17)

HDMS Esbern Snare (L17) is an Absalon-class support ship support ship,  and is along with her sister ship, the HDMS Absalon (L16), the largest combat vessel currently commissioned in the Royal Danish Navy.

The Esbern Snare is part of the first stage of a strategic realignment within the Royal Danish Navy, which is transitioning to focus on international operations, in which Absalon-class vessels will form the backbone. The ship is designed for command and support roles, with a large ro-ro deck, and is to be complemented by the Ivar Huitfeldt class frigate, a derivative of the Absalon-class designed specifically for combat operations..



The Esbern Snare was involved in the Beluga Nomination Incident, when she and the Seychelles Coast Guard patrol boat engaged in a failed rescue operation which left four or five Somali pirates and civilians dead. Later she captured a mother ship on 12 February 2011, capturing sixteen pirates and their weapons, as well as freeing two hostages held by the pirates. While patrolling on 12 May 2011 she encountered the pirated dhow NN Iran and attacked it, killing four pirates and wounding ten. Sixteen Iranian hostages were rescued and 24 pirates captured, but the dhow was in a sinking condition and had to be abandoned.