Category: Security policy

Flagge zeigen

Ob im Nordpazifik oder am Nordpol: Die Rivalität der Großmächte und der politische wie ökologische Klimawandel beeinflussen sich gegenseitig. Man stelle sich eine Szene in den kommenden Jahren vor: Die Geschichte der selbsternannten „Volksrepubliken“ Donezk und Luhansk in der Ukraine würde mit einem Missgeschick enden. Bevor die Separatistenhochburgen endgültig in den Besitz des ukrainischen Staates übergehen würden, sollte die Flagge der russischen Schutzmacht noch ein letztes Mal feierlich eingeholt werden. Doch anstatt langsam nach unten zu gleiten, würde sich die weiß-blau-rote Trikolore am Mast verhaken. Mehrere Matrosen müssten emporklettern, um das Tuch zu lösen. Dabei würde das Symbol imperialer...

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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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