Category: Security policy

From global responsibility to strategic tunnel vision

From global responsibility to strategic tunnel vision

Gepostet von | 6 Apr 2023 | , , , | 0

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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The vastness of the horizon

The vastness of the horizon

Gepostet von | 5 Apr 2023 | , , | 1

Stovepiping is a process in which the observer sees daylight through a narrow chimney and mistakes this for the horizon. This phenomenon is widespread and is often attributed to incomplete intelligence ("need to know"). The former Inspector General has asked the military branches to present a "target picture" for their respective areas. The Navy has drawn up a "target picture from 2035". The new Inspector General is now tasked with placing the various target images next to and on top of each other. However, the sum of the individual target images does not make a whole! An energetic, organising hand is needed here, which has been lacking up to now. One may assume...

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Baltic Operations 22

Baltic Operations 22

Gepostet von | 4 Apr 2023 | , , , , | 0

BALTOPS, the largest multinational naval exercise in the Baltic Sea, took place for the 51st time from 5 to 17 June 2022. Around 7,000 soldiers from 16 nations, including Sweden and Finland, took part this time. They were spread across 47 ships and boats, 89 aircraft, as well as various offices and troop units on land. BALTOPS stands for "Baltic Operations" and is a long-term exercise series that was launched by the US Naval Forces Europe in 1972. The purpose has not changed since then: The aim is to train various types of naval warfare with allies, for example hunting submarines,...

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Neptune's return

Neptune's return

Gepostet von | 3 Apr 2023 | , , , | 1

After Neptune, the god of the sea, emerged from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea at the beginning of the year to demonstrate his fighting power over Central and South-East Europe for a fortnight, he returned for just as long at the end of May: equipped with a mighty shield, his aim this time was to help his allies protect their territories. Neptune is of course just an allegory. It stands for NATO's ability to carry out "strikes" from the sea, i.e. to defend itself against threats on land, in the air and/or above the water using aircraft, cruise missiles or naval infantry. The lead for this special type of naval warfare is held within the NATO...

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Construction project for the inland sea

Construction project for the inland sea

Gepostet von | 31 Mar 2023 | , , , , | 0

The Russian-Ukrainian war also had a major impact on the navies of the Baltic Sea states. They were already in the process of rebuilding capacities that had been radically curtailed after the Cold War. Historically neutral Sweden is one of the countries whose security architecture has been most affected by the recent Russian aggression, a fact that is most evident in the country's imminent accession to NATO. The country is already in the midst of a major military revitalisation programme called Totalförsvaret 2021-2025 (translated roughly as Total Defence), which was passed by the Swedish parliament at the end of 2020. From the perspective of the navy...

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