Interview - "I'm not afraid of anything!"

Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach has been inspector of the navy for six months now. The marineforum had the opportunity to ask him about his impressions so far and his plans for the future of the navy.

Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach in conversation with Editor-in-Chief Holger Schlüter (left) and Editor Hans-Uwe Mergener

Admiral Schönbach, congratulations on your new position! Inspectors often stood for events in the mirror of time: Zenker stands for the build-up, Mann for the dismantling and transition, your predecessor was the first inspector outside the BMVg - what do you wish for, what do you fear, what will you stand for one day?

I am grateful for the great trust placed in me as Inspector of the Navy. How my work will be reflected in the future is for others to decide. I can tell you that the German Navy must be adequately resourced in order to be able to fulfil its full range of tasks in the long term and to be equipped for future challenges. With reliable and sustainable funding, it will also be possible to position the navy well for the future. The German Navy is a security policy instrument that politicians can deploy quickly and flexibly to ensure our security and ultimately our prosperity.