Half of the German Bundeswehr navy's helicopter fleet is out of service: a tear about 20 centimeters in length was noted on the tail of a helicopter used for the EU's anti-piracy mission

Germany's Defense Ministry confirmed that 22 of the Bundeswehr's navy helicopters has been grounded for safety reasons. Fifteen of the Sea Lynx Mk88A helicopters were recalled in the past days after a recurring fault was identified on a model deployed in the EU anti pyraci mission off the coast of Somalia. A tear or hole about 20 centimeters in length has been found on the tail section of a Sea Lynx aboard the frigate Lübeck back in June.

"It's correct that the 22 navy helicopters currently are not in the skies - Defense Ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff said -. Of course we are tackling the issue as a matter of priority".

The first hole was discovered on a helicopter serving on Lübeck frigate. The Defense Ministry said it believed the helicopters could be cleared to fly again early in 2015. In total, Germany's navy operates 43 helicopters: half of the fleet, than, has been grounded due to "precautionary" reasons. 

The Bundeswehr's navy is taking part in the EU's "Atalanta" anti-piracy mission of the Horn of Africa. The helicopter problems could hinder German participation in the mission: the Defense Ministry said that partners of EU NAVFOR Somalia as Italy, France and the United Kingdom could pick up the slack.