Friedrich Merz has made his inaugural visit to the navy. On board, he was impressed by their capabilities and warned against Russia. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz first visited the naval command in Rostock on 28 August. Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack received him in the Hanseatic city on the Warnow estuary. Then flew...
In view of the growing Chinese threat, the Japanese armed forces have been developing their own amphibious capabilities for several years. A naval infantry brigade has now reached full operational readiness in spring 2024. In view of Japan's role in the Second World War, the constitution that came into force on 3 May 1947 obliges the country to promote an international...
The second stage of watch officer training focuses on deployment in a complex environment. After all, a wrong decision in combat has serious consequences for the ship and crew. "FLASH! Missile release on starboard side, time on top in two minutes to minute zero-nine, threat side becomes starboard side!" Without having to think, speak...
Years of training, numerous sea voyages and constantly overcoming new challenges form the basis for admission to the commander's examination. And then it gets serious. The crew prepares to dock in the city harbour of Karlskrona, mooring side becomes starboard side, starboard side becomes mooring side. The corvette goes alongside the pier. For the crew of the corvette Magdeburg...
A wide range of tasks and great responsibility await the young officers of the watch on board a corvette. But with growing experience, the challenges can be mastered. "Aaaa the DO goes on". "Corporal Krüger, report me as the current helmsman on course 195°, both ahead 18, normal sailing programme, rudder hand." "WO understood." The corvette Magdeburg is...
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German Navy has once again focussed on the Baltic Sea. The crews of the 1st Corvette Squadron are well equipped to defend against the various threats. In recent years, the German Navy's corvettes have been deployed on missions in the Mediterranean - but...
Russia is continuing its war of aggression against Ukraine unabated, while trust in its ally, the USA, is dwindling. How is the German population reacting to this dual challenge? The annual population survey conducted by the Centre for Military History and Social Sciences provides answers to questions on threat perception, transatlantic relations and the willingness to defend Germany...
After three decades, the tried and tested Class 404 tenders are coming to the end of their useful life. In a dramatically changed environment, the planned successors should be as versatile as possible. The future of tenders has begun with the Medium Support Unit. The future units will fulfil the current requirements of the German Navy for a needs-oriented...
Class 124 frigates were once ahead of their time. However, the rapidly advancing development of their main sensor in particular has required an upgrade for years. Only recently, the Marineforum asked the question "Quo Vadis F124?" at the end of the article congratulating the frigate Sachsen on its 20th anniversary of commissioning. In the meantime, the inspector...
What is the situation regarding the recruitment of new recruits for the navy? An interview update with the head of the Bundeswehr's career centre in Wilhelmshaven Captain Christian Clausing has one of those jobs that makes you think of "Mission Impossible". Nevertheless, the 52-year-old, with whom marineforum spoke for the first time last year,...