Category: Armed Forces

Germany's door opener in the Indo-Pacific

After the end of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2021 of the frigate Bayern almost a year ago, the announced German involvement in the region has gone quiet. How can it continue? Our problem is not a lack of rules, our problem is a lack of will to comply with and implement them. Chancellor Olaf Scholz attested to this in his speech to the United Nations in New York on 20 September. Even if the Chancellor's statement primarily refers to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, it is also likely to apply implicitly to other autocratic regimes. Because not only since the...

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Supermarkets and petrol stations

A navy that not only operates in its own coastal waters needs modern supply ships. Many older classes around the world are currently being replaced by modern units. The provision of effective logistical support remains a fundamental prerequisite for the effective conduct of naval operations at sea. After a period of sluggish procurement in the post-Cold War era, the North American and European navies are currently undertaking extensive programmes to increase their supply ship inventories. The expansion of fleets in the Asia-Pacific region is another important driver for new investments in this segment. North America The United States Navy is currently operating...

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Back to national and alliance defence

After 124 comes 127: In defence against threats from the air, the next generation of frigates is slowly taking shape. After the planned end of service life of the Class 124 frigate in the years 2034 to 2036, the Next Generation Frigate - Air Defence (NGFrig-AD) project, hereinafter referred to as Class 127 frigate (F 127), will ensure that air defence capabilities are maintained in a timely and threat-appropriate manner, that sea-based ballistic missile defence (BMD) capabilities are added and that hypersonic threats are countered. The platform is also intended to fulfil the Naval Maritime Precision Strike - Long Range (NATO Capability Code NMS-LR) capability described in the NATO Capability Targets 2021...

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Hardly won, already lost

Once upon a time there was a special fund of 100 billion euros. So began a beautiful dream for the Bundeswehr in March, which is now being overtaken by reality. While the turnaround proclaimed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz was seen as an opportunity to strengthen the operational capability and combat strength of the naval and air forces, nine months later disillusionment is setting in. It was clear to naval personnel anyway that the Bundeswehr special fund would not significantly increase the number of flagstaffs. The option of two more Class 126 frigates and the multi-purpose combat boats (naval battalion) would have slightly expanded the fleet's fleet....

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The Lübeck spirit

Once again, the crew of the frigate Lübeck gave their all for their ship. But the final end is approaching. After 32 years, the Lübeck will soon be decommissioned. She is the last ship of the 122 class, and this also marks the end of an era for the German Navy. Even if all ships of a class look (almost) the same on the outside, each has its own character. As they say in the Royal Navy: same but different. But what characterises the "Lucky Lübeck" and her crew? Particularly since the frigate Augsburg was decommissioned in 2019, the...

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