On Thursday, 28 August 2025, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the German Navy for the first time. As part of a varied programme, the Chancellor was given a demonstration of some of the Navy's capabilities. 

After a confidential round of talks at the Naval Command with the Inspector of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited the Commander Task Force Baltic area. The Chancellor was then flown to the frigate "Bayern" in the NH-90 helicopter. There he was given a tour on board and then a demonstration of capabilities at sea with the corvette "Magdeburg", the minesweeper "Rottweil", the task force provider "Frankfurt am Main", the tender "Donau", a submarine, the naval battalion, the on-board helicopter Sea Lynx and the maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-3C "Orion". Sea supply, air and anti-submarine defence and a missile attack were carried out during the exercises. There was also plenty of opportunity to talk to the navy soldiers. Finally, the Federal Chancellor made a press statement on board the frigate "Bayern".

The entire statement by the Federal Chancellor in the "Welt TV" video