Category: Armed Forces

Of endings and beginnings

Of endings and beginnings

Posted by | 16 Jun 2023 | , , , | 0

The German Navy is celebrating its 175th birthday. But the road to peace and freedom was long and full of upheavals. On 14 June, the German Navy celebrates its 175th birthday. Well, you might ask yourself. Historically, the end of the Second World War and the subsequent new beginning meant that the Bundeswehr - and therefore also the navy - only celebrated its 65th birthday a few years ago. So where did 170 years come from? The answer is quite complex and requires a reading of German history books over the past two centuries. At the beginning of the 19th century, the political situation...

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From 50 to 66

From 50 to 66

Posted by | 15 Jun 2023 | , , , , | 0

To mark its 175th birthday, the German Navy is giving itself a new target image. However, many good ideas stand in the way of just as many problems. In the 175th anniversary year of the German Navy, the inspector of the navy is looking ahead with the publication of its future structure. Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack said in an interview with the Kieler Nachrichten newspaper: "We want to open up a big bouquet in the 2035+ vision." He is not talking about flagpoles. Rather, he wants the navy to remain fit for the future. All of this is being done in view of the dramatic changes since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. The focus is on returning to the national...

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Happy birthday

Happy birthday

Posted by | 14 Jun 2023 | , , , | 0

On 14 June 1848, the National Assembly in the Paulskirche in Frankfurt am Main decided to establish an all-German navy. This was done to protect the German merchant fleet and was justified by the Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark. This makes the German Navy the oldest branch of the German Armed Forces. It will be celebrated in Berlin, Rostock and Hamburg, but this time not in the venerable St Paul's Church in Frankfurt as in 2008. The protection of the sea lanes and the associated national defence, which was the focus back then, is strikingly topical again today. Armaments planning with the USA in 1849 is also a remarkable analogy. And with a grin...

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An odd couple in the same waters

An odd couple in the same waters

Posted by | 9 Jun 2023 | , , , , | 0

The first ships for military use were built back in ancient times. Today, naval shipbuilding accounts for around a third of German shipbuilding sales. In maritime history, the trireme, which was widely used in the Mediterranean in ancient times, is regarded as the first type of ship to be designed specifically for war. The three distinctive rows of oars and the bronze ramming spur on the bow bear witness to this. Around 170 oarsmen gave the approximately 35 metre long ship the necessary speed of up to ten knots for ramming attacks on enemy units. A two-row predecessor type served as the blueprint for the warship. What both had in common was that they...

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Naval vessels as a strategic means of communication

Naval vessels as a strategic means of communication

Posted by | 8 Jun 2023 | , , , , | 0

After the Indo-Pacific deployment of the frigate BAYERN, the desire for a further presence far from home has fallen asleep again for the time being. China and Russia, on the other hand, are stepping up their commitment in this direction. The oceans on which navies operate not only divide. They also connect - without the lines of communication at sea, globalisation would not have been possible. Co-operation between navies manifests the relationship between nations. Joint exercises can be an expression of like-mindedness and even partnership. The presence of naval units conveys messages. Sometimes subtle, sometimes very provocative - in the best sense of the word. In terms of political science, the navy is more than just an object of research. With the...

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