Soon after his arrival Struck had talks with his Djiboutian counterpart Ougoureh Kifleh Ahmed that focused on military cooperation between the two countries.

He later boarded a helicopter that took him to a German naval ship in the area.

Germany has based three frigates, five fast motorboats, four supply ships and a helicopter contingent with a total troop strength of 1,600 to 1,800 in Djibouti as part of the US-led "war on terrorism."

Germany's secretary of state for defence Brigitte Schutler visited Djibouti in October and had cooperation talks with Djiboutian defence officials.

Struck is due to leave Djibouti on Sunday morning and travel to Kenya.

SPACE.WIRE