Category: Security policy

Frigate Bayern heads for the Indo-Pacific

On Monday, 2 August, the frigate Bayern set sail in the presence of the Federal Minister of Defence, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, to move to waters last sailed by the German Navy 19 years ago. The itinerary was published just in time for the departure. It is a big programme. The voyage will take the Bavarians to three continents, 16 countries and 17 harbours. The programme includes exercises with partner navies, temporary participation in the Sea Guardian operations in the Mediterranean and Atalanta in the Horn of Africa, involvement in the UN sanctions regime against North Korea and various port visits in Singapore, Australia and Japan. With the offer...

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A journey with many question marks

After 19 years, a German Navy ship set sail for Southeast Asia again today. The Hamburg was supposed to set this course at the beginning of May 2020, but the voyage had to be cancelled due to coronavirus. Despite the long preparation time, not all questions have been answered, partly due to the ongoing pandemic. The ports of call have now been officially announced, but whether the crew will be able to go ashore there despite being fully vaccinated will in some cases only be decided in the coming days and weeks. The corona situation in some parts of the travel area is deteriorating noticeably, with some countries making their...

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Three in one go

The United States Coast Guard put three new ships into service today (Thursday 29 July). From their new home port on the island of Guam, the so-called Fast Response Cutters will ensure security in the region. To this end, the Americans have concluded agreements with various island states in Micronesia that are members of the Pacific Islands Forum. These can embark so-called shipriders on the USCG units and use them to observe, board and search suspicious ships in the respective exclusive economic zone. This saves the participating nations the cost of operating their own patrol boats. The Myrtle Hazard, Oliver Henry and Frederick...

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USS Benfold crosses Formosa Strait

And they've done it again: according to the Pentagon, the American destroyer USS Benfold passed through the Formosa Strait on 28 July. The disputed strait, which is around 180 kilometres wide, forms the border between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan. At irregular intervals, US units, as well as ships from allies such as Australia, cross the waters in the South China Sea claimed by China and other nations. In doing so, they deliberately do not adhere to the various rules that the neighbouring countries have issued for the regions that they count as their territory. These include prior notifications and the request to grant...

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