What is the difference between a harbour concert and a harp concert? Some know what it's all about, others wait eagerly but in vain for the sound of the harp. Add to this a rattling bamboo curtain and the confusion is perfect!
You have to wonder: What the China Internet Information Centre on its platform german.china.org.cn, citing South Korean press reports and a Dr John of the "European" Naval Submarine League, a few weeks ago in his article "Did Germany sell submarine technologies to China transferred?" reported, is the last straw: The German Navy had - bypassing the Chancellor! - Naval technology to China thus enabling the Chinese industry to build submarines similar to the German submarine class 212/214...
Here is the answer from Hein von der Marine, a well-known expert from Schleswig-Holstein...no, joking aside, let's take a serious look at the factual errors in the article:
The Chinese media quoted a certain Dr John from the NSL Institute as saying that China to start developing a fourth-generation submarine with magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). [...] The Naval Submarine League (NSL) is a well-known European institution.
Dr John may exist, but not a European Naval Submarine League! This probably refers to the American Naval Submarine League (NSL)a non-profit organisation dedicated to all aspects of submarining. The NSL is an association of active and former submariners as well as representatives of the submarine industry and representatives of public life who promote the exchange of ideas on tactics, underwater warfare and industrial developments.
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is the most modern propulsion technology for submarines, which has so far only been used in Europe. Germany plays a leading role in this field.
Magnetohydrodynamics is neither the most modern propulsion technology, nor is German industry a leader in it. Readers of Tom Clancy's "Hunt for Red October" have long been familiar with it: similar to the principle of a magnetic levitation train, the water around the submarine is accelerated in an electromagnetic field and thus ensures the boat's propulsion. However, the energy efficiency is regrettably low, so low that this principle never became the main drive - at best, as described by Tom Clancy, as an additional drive for noiseless close-range situations in the classic duel between two submarines. We prefer to rely on the encapsulation of aggregates to prevent noise emission and the fuel cell as a brilliant propulsion system; Germany, specifically HDW, is a leader in this technology!
South Korean media even reported that the German military - behind the back of the German government - had concluded a secret deal with China had concluded. Dr John went on to say that these technologies had probably been transferred by the German navy, which had single-handedly decided on a technology transfer with the Chinese military. It is possible that Chancellor Angela Merkel was not informed about this process.
Really? It's inconceivable that the German Navy would sneak anything past the federal government! Anyone who claims that the navy pursues its own policy has completely failed to understand the principle of an army that is firmly integrated into democratic structures. Industrial espionage and technology transfer are theoretically conceivable, but if you look at the similarities between Chinese car production and European originals, you know what is going on. In the case of a submarine, the practical implementation is likely to be even more complicated. Analogue to the acquisition of an aircraft carrier by the Chinese: Ownership alone does nothing; you also have to be able to handle it! Until then, it will be difficult for China still have a long way to go...
Conclusion: There is nothing to the "facts" - someone actually spoke of harbour concert and the writer understood harp concert. If the report had appeared in a daily newspaper, it wouldn't be worth the paper it was printed on.
Further link
- German Navy:
Technical data submarine class 212A
English 
German
"We should therefore at least sharpen our senses to the fact that there is also Chinese interest in German submarine technology." Spot on, no doubt about it!
But as the author correctly points out, industrial espionage and technology transfer always take place. The point was to point out the actual errors in the Chinese article, i.e. that the German Navy had deliberately supplied China with a technology that did not exist (in this form) on the basis of its own agenda.
Even if the above clear refutation can only be agreed with, one should take a closer look at what the point of this article might be.
It is undisputed that the Chinese Navy (PLAN) not only relies on nuclear-powered submarines but also on conventional submarines such as the Russian Kilo class. And if these boats could be equipped with HDW's better fuel cell propulsion technology in future, they would be even better able to realise and enforce their access/area denial capabilities in the South China Sea vis-à-vis the US Navy.
This is the point at which we should remember a committee of enquiry into the possible delivery of blueprints of German submarines from Thyssen Nordseewerke to South Africa. Norbert Gansel, a member of parliament at the time, was not so bad with his information. The matter also came to nothing because he did not want to reveal his sources.
Therefore, one should at least sharpen one's senses to the fact that there is also Chinese interest in German submarine technology. And since some submarines of German origin are used in other navies, this should also be kept in mind.
So, this is probably not about reasons for German "armament" but about vigilance. As we all know, vigilance is the price of freedom.
One wonders whether this article was intended to achieve something (and if so, what), or whether someone has just done horribly bad research and writing here.
I can well imagine that the article was intended to achieve something: namely the creation of a threat scenario to justify the increase in the country's own defence spending!
Thanks for the clear words! I expect a clear statement from a blog like this when absolute spin is being spun. After reading the sailor's yarn, I realise that the Loch Ness monster swam into the South China Sea.
Please keep up the good work with a clear message 🙂