Category: Magazine

Show the flag

Whether in the North Pacific or at the North Pole, the rivalry between the superpowers and political and ecological climate change influence each other. Imagine a scene in the coming years: The story of the self-proclaimed "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine would end in misadventure. Before the separatist strongholds would finally become the property of the Ukrainian state, the flag of the Russian protecting power was to be ceremoniously lowered one last time. But instead of slowly gliding down, the white, blue and red tricolour would get caught on the mast. Several sailors would have to climb up to release the cloth. In the process, the symbol of imperial...

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On the shopping list

New weapons, autonomous systems and global availability - navies that want to be successful in the international arena are facing major challenges. The second part of "Turning Point at Sea" identifies the most important areas of action. When looking at different types of ships, the focus is on aircraft and helicopter carriers, large amphibious landing ships, drone carriers and submarines. Their size is increasing noticeably. Cruisers with a massive arsenal of guided missiles make a comeback. Destroyers, frigates and corvettes are being procured as standard, also with more tonnage and increased armament. Frigates are the standard surface combatant for extended missions with complex tasks and weapons. The fleet lists currently show 575 units. Until...

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Rethinking naval ship management

Over the past decades, Germany has believed itself to be at perpetual peace. Russia's war against Ukraine now requires us to take an honest look at ensuring secure maritime transport connections. There have been wars in human history, like seasons that describe the course of time. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain and the resulting rapprochement between former enemies, the European population in particular has been lulled into a sense of security. In the Federal Republic of Germany in particular, a feeling of freedom, but also of carefreeness, spread. The certainty that Germany was surrounded by friends contributed to this. Access marineforum digital+ Are you already a registered user? Now...

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Not a cent spent yet

The Defence Commissioner's 2022 annual report demonstrates the inability to promptly remedy the shortcomings in the armed forces. Despite ample funding. Just over a year after Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the modernisation of the Bundeswehr in his "turnaround" speech, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl, draws a sobering balance in her 171-page Annual Report 2022. The turnaround has not yet reached the troops. The Bundeswehr has been stuck in a personnel, equipment and procurement crisis for decades and is struggling with the fundamental problems that have been known for years and remain unchanged: a serious shortage of material and dilapidated infrastructure, a lack of equipment and personnel, excessive bureaucracy and...

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From global responsibility to strategic tunnel vision

Its flexibility makes the navy the ideal instrument of German foreign policy. A plea in favour of deploying the ships where they are needed - worldwide. To all appearances, the navy currently serves one main purpose and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future: to deter Russia on the northern flank of the alliance. As an initial reaction to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, this impulse is understandable, but harbours great risks - risks for German foreign policy and for the navy itself. Unlike during the Cold War, the Federal Republic is no longer the smaller West Germany. The traditional allied naval powers have also long...

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