Category: Armed Forces

The dilemma with security architectures

A turning point in Germany. The EU is coming together in a unity rarely seen before. NATO shows its teeth. Putin's invasion of Ukraine is changing Europe. Everything suddenly has to be rethought and aligned with new realities. Economic policy, energy policy, security policy. In Ukraine, as in Georgia and Syria, Putin's soldiers have been given no opportunity for heroic deeds, not for glory and honour on the battlefield. Soldierly virtues no longer apply where war is waged against cities and civilians, where war crimes become a strategy. Where a far superior NATO has to stand by and watch, because the consequences of intervention are likely to lead to an even greater catastrophe...

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Fact or fake

In mid-February, a report spread rapidly that the Russian navy had driven a US submarine out of its waters. Hardly anyone checks the news. In this day and age, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between a credible-sounding fabrication or falsification and factually correct information. When anyone can freely proclaim their desired truth and reproduce the narrative that suits them, journalistic work becomes a risk. Research takes time - and news simply cannot wait. So whatever generates readership or hits is published, because that is the currency of the media. Access marineforum digital+ Are you already a registered user? Log in here now - also...

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Bundeswehr to learn to fight again

In her 2021 annual report, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces once again puts her finger in the open wounds. In the 2021 annual report, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl, once again describes the problems of the armed forces that have been known for years and continue to be current: material and personnel shortages, bureaucracy, excessively long planning and award procedures for procurement and insufficient operational readiness. The material operational readiness of the main weapon systems is 77 per cent (2020: 74 %). In the operational areas of Lithuania, Mali and Niger, the operational readiness of major equipment was just under 50 per cent in some cases. The current operational load is leading to extremely high wear and tear in the navy, which is why it is dependent on...

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Kidnapping and blackmail

The IMB's latest piracy report shows the effectiveness of targeted maritime surveillance. Nevertheless, some sea areas are still not spared from attacks. The statistics on global piracy from the International Maritime Bureau in London have been published since 1990. It is the most reliable barometer of current developments, even if it does not cover all cases. In 2021, 132 incidents were reported to the IMB. By comparison, there were 195 in 2020 and a few fewer in 2019 (162). This shows encouraging developments from a global perspective. Comparative value: In the years 2009 to 2011, well over 200 incidents were recorded in the waters of the Horn of Africa alone. Access...

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Russia - the great crisis

Putin wants to restore the Soviet Union's former greatness Rarely have threats from outside stirred up public opinion in Germany as much as in recent weeks. My old navy and crew mates asked me to take a stand on this. I had to write three versions, and I hope that this one will survive the time between the editorial deadline and the publication of the April issue. At the last great turning point in 1989/90, people said "the word is getting old". This time, the upheaval is perhaps even faster and at least as radical. What was so...

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