Mission accomplished!

German Navy ends Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024

After 208 days, the German Navy's Indo-Pacific Deployment (IPD) ended on 1 December 2024 at the Spanish naval base in Rota. The unit covered a total of around 45,000 nautical miles (83,000 kilometres), the equivalent of two circumnavigations of the globe. The frigate "Baden-Württemberg" is now preparing for the upcoming UNIFIL mission (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and will therefore remain in the Mediterranean. The task force supply ship "Frankfurt am Main" will return to Wilhelmshaven in a few days.

Flotilla Commander, Flotilla Admiral Helge Risch announced: "The mission of IPD 24 has been fulfilled. The naval organisation has shown its presence in the Indo-Pacific and emphatically underlined Germany's stance in favour of the rules-based international order (RBIO) and freedom of the seas. Together with our partners, we have strengthened our relationships in bilateral and multinational manoeuvres and expanded our interoperability."

IPD24 © German Navy

In its first major deployment, the frigate "Baden-Württemberg" proved that "intensive utilisation has proven its worth". The task force supply ship "Frankfurt am Main" once again demonstrated what this type of ship is capable of. The provider has supplied ships from ten nations with water, fuel and goods during around 50 sea supply manoeuvres. The Naval Rescue Centre and its on-board medical team also demonstrated their skills, including an emergency operation on the high seas.

Over 200 officer candidates were embarked on board the units during the deployment period and were able to gain their first border experience. An important insight into the profession, which means absences, hardships and privations, but also great experiences and insights as "ambassadors in blue" of our nation. From May to December 2024, the units were in New York, Honolulu, Tokyo, Incheon, Singapore and Goa, as well as in Cape Town.