Category: Security policy

Recruiting young talent in Russian

How does a navy get enough new recruits? A question that arises in many countries around the world, at least as long as the local economy is booming and offers many, often better-paid jobs. While Germany likes to present itself as less military and advertises with soft factors such as free Wi-Fi or far-reaching working time regulations, the Russian navy relies on an early approach and arousing enthusiasm for seafaring. Some time ago, we received a report from the central Russian city of Novosibirsk that cadets from the Karavella Children's Naval Centre were taking part in a maritime exercise on the Glazunov, a Project 780 ship...

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An old acquaintance comes to SNMG 1

The Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1) has had another ship since 25 August. The Portuguese frigate Corte-Real is part of the permanent task force for the eighth time. Together with the flagship, the Canadian multi-purpose frigate Halifax, it ensures security in the North Atlantic, the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Baltic Sea. Frigate Captain Luis Falcato commands 180 servicemen and women, including a helicopter crew and a diving team. The Vasco da Gama-class frigate was built at the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard in Kiel. The 2920-tonne, 116-metre-long ship has been at sea for the Portuguese Navy since 1992. Her...

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First greetings from the land of the rising sun

The Bavarians continue their journey to East Asia. After a pass with the Indian frigate Trikand, the soldiers on board have now had their first opportunity to brush up on their knowledge of the Japanese language and etiquette. They will be able to put this into practice in a few weeks' time when they visit the Land of the Rising Sun. The JS Yugiri, a destroyer of the 3500 tonne displacement Asagiri class, was available as a partner for various small manoeuvres in the Gulf of Aden. One of the German Sea Lynx brought a culinary greeting from home to the Japanese ship: in addition to memorabilia, there was a Twelvepack Erdinger. As a not quite...

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Warm words instead of cool threats

A few weeks ago, the two sides were still at loggerheads, but now things are getting warmer again. When the British destroyer HMS Defender crossed the coastal waters off the Crimea in the Black Sea at the end of June, Russian soldiers demanded that the ship leave the sea area claimed by Putin with some force and not very friendly words. In the Barents Sea, on the other hand, the Russian navy showed its comradely side. The British survey and reconnaissance ship HMS Echo was carrying out its work there when the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov (coincidentally?) passed by. Instead of admonitions or threats, however, this time there were congratulations on the anniversary. The occasion was...

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High-tech balloons for the Aegean Sea

In the Aegean Sea, controlling the EU's external border between Greece and Turkey is proving difficult. Many islands with long coastlines and the geographical proximity of the two countries make it difficult to deploy patrol vehicles. Ships and aeroplanes also have high operating costs. Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is now hoping that the use of tethered balloons will ease the burden. As part of a technology pilot programme, two balloons from the US manufacturer CNIM Air Space will initially be procured and fitted with sensors from Hensoldt. This involves the Argos-II system from Oberkochen, which was developed for use on various flying platforms....

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