Research vessel instead of naval forces

On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, the research vessel "Planet" will set sail for the Aegean on a NATO support mission.

With the adoption of the new NATO Force Model on 1 July 2024, the demands on the German Navy as part of the NATO defence forces have increased significantly. The combat and support units previously entrusted with the task are therefore required to do more than before. In order to increase the German Navy's room for manoeuvre, it was decided to replace the German Navy's military forces with civilian units suitable for the tasks. The research vessel "Planet", with its capabilities in the area of sea endurance, the large amount of space available and the necessary telecommunications equipment, was identified as an excellent replacement. The "Planet" primarily serves as a sea-going operational platform, but the actual mission itself is still carried out by the embarked military personnel.

This co-operation between the German Navy and the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) shows what is possible in times of scarce resources. The research vessel "Planet" is primarily available to the Defence Technology Agency 71 for Ships and Naval Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research in Eckernförde for sea trials.

For the duration of its deployment, the "Planet" will be subordinated to the 3rd Minesweeper Squadron as the lead unit, which has been providing boats as command platforms in the NATO organisation since the beginning of the year. The ship will take over the tasks in the Aegean until the beginning of 2025.

Further information on the "Planet" can be found on the Bundeswehr website: https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ausruestung-technik-bundeswehr/seesysteme-bundeswehr/forschungsschiff-planet