Update: "Not during our watch!"

As already reported, the German Navy is stepping up its activities on NATO's northern flank as a result of current developments and for reasons of Alliance solidarity.

On 28 February, the minehunting boats "Sulzbach-Rosenberg" and "Homburg", the minesweeper "Siegburg" and the tender "Elbe" set sail for the Baltic Sea. In addition, the minesweepers "Datteln" and "Fulda" set off on the morning of 1 March. "Our signal is clear: not during our watch!" said the commander of the fleet, Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack. On Saturday, 26 February, the corvette "Erfurt", originally intended for deployment as part of UNIFIL (off Lebanon), was sent off to take part in SNMG1 (Standing NATO Maritime Group 1) in the presence of Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence Siemtje Möller. "We must send a visible signal of deterrence and alliance solidarity," explains the State Secretary. SNMG 1, whose operational area extends from the Norwegian Sea to the Baltic Sea, also includes the German task force provider "Berlin" as its flagship. NATO's four floating task forces can be seen as the maritime counterpart to NATO's 'Enhanced Forward Presence'.

Own situation picture essential

Also on 26 February, the fleet service boat "Alster" left the Eckernförde naval base to electronically monitor sea and coastal areas in the Baltic Sea. "The German Navy, the Bundeswehr and the entire Alliance now need a reliable picture of the situation. In addition to other activities, the Navy is also contributing to this with the 'Alster'," explains Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack, who will move from his current post as Commander of the Fleet to the chair of Inspector of the Navy on 11 March 2022.

The frigate "Sachsen" has been operating in the southern Baltic Sea since mid-February. With its SMART-L surveillance radar, the unit is able to monitor the airspace over the Baltic Sea. "This is a further signal of our alliance solidarity," says Admiral Kaack. The measures he has initiated also include occasional patrols by the P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft in the airspace of the northern flank.

You can rely on Marine

The German Navy makes it clear that it is capable of a clear response even in the face of frequently discussed problems and is able to make a significant contribution to the presence and solidarity of the Alliance. The motto issued by Vice Admiral Kaack and implemented with the Navy, "We are there - and we are vigilant", is aimed at both the suspected opponent and the partners.