German-Peruvian naval relations strengthened

On 7 and 8 October 2021, the event took place in Lima, the capital Perua high-ranking international naval power and strategy symposium on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Marine de Guerra del Perú took place. More than 250 participants gathered in the Pacific metropolis to discuss current aspects of naval forces and maritime security in times of global maritime competition. The organisers welcomed naval representatives from almost two dozen nations, including commanders and inspectors from many South American navies. Russia, Spain, France and the United States also sent "multi-starters".

UNITAS (German: Einheit)

The conference was deliberately organised at the end of the UNITAS-This is one of the oldest exercises to improve international cooperation at sea since 1959. UNITAS LXII was hosted by the Andean state from 24 September to 6 October 2021 and brought 34 warships (including a US Navy amphibious task group), four submarines and 26 aircraft from a total of 19 nations to the South Pacific. The Caribbean, Pacific and Atlantic sea areas were exercised in succession. Some of the exercises also took place in the Amazon jungle of Iquitos and provided the participants - including three officers from the German Navy as observers - with comprehensive insights into the requirements and capabilities profile of South America.

Peruvian symposium with a German background

The organisers of the Peruvian Seapower Symposium had not only copied what has worked excellently in Kiel for years, namely placing a high-class strategy conference (Kiel International Seapower Symposium) at the end of a multinational naval exercise (BALTOPS). The Admiralty in Lima also paid particular attention to German-Peruvian naval relations. After all, in Peru Six Kiel-built Type 209 submarines are currently at sea, although two of them are undergoing an extensive mid-life extension. Peru maintains the largest submarine flotilla in the whole of South America. In cooperation with the German military attaché in Lima, it was possible to bring Dr Sebastian Bruns - currently a visiting professor at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis (Maryland) and therefore present on the same continent - to Peru as a distinguished international expert in naval strategy for the conference keynote. Dr Bruns spoke on the topic of "Challenges for medium-sized navies in times of competition from major powers". The commentary on the corresponding keynote panel, which was completed by Dr Jon Caverly from the US Naval War College in Newport (Rhode Island), was provided by Flotilla Admiral Wilhelm Tobias Abry, Head of Operations at the Rostock Naval Command.

Indo-Pacific voyage of the BAYERN as a theme

The Peruvian Navy not only proved to be a very good and proud host on the occasion of the anniversary, but also knew how to promote dialogue between the navy and science. In this context, the two American keynote speakers also gave presentations at the Peruvian Naval Academy. Dr Bruns shared some thoughts on the current deployment of the frigate "Bayern" with the professors and students. The voyage of the German warship was literally on everyone's lips during the conferences and emphasised that the German Navy and political planners in Berlin should also think about the opposite coast of the Indo-Pacific. The Peruvian naval birthday finally ended in style on 9 October with a military parade in Lima and a naval parade off Miraflores.

Text: Dr Sebastian Bruns