The value of the German Navy goes beyond the military

2023-05-02 13:50:10

German Navy ships leave a port in Kiel in February 2022 to reinforce the NATO contingent in the Baltic Sea.
Image: Reuters

Traditionally, the army dominates the strategic defense culture. But the value of the German Navy goes well beyond the military. Without Germany’s contribution, a European sea power is unthinkable. A guest post.

RRussia is a real threat to peace and stability in Europe – but not only there, and not as the only challenge that Germany has to deal with in the world. Nevertheless, the ships available in the German Navy are currently and for the foreseeable future focused on deterring Russian aggression and alliance solidarity in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, the so-called “northern flank” in NATO’s defense strategy.

With the current low fleet strength, the Navy has little scope for a presence in the world beyond its home waters in the next few years. As a further clear sign of the regional orientation of Germany’s defense policy, the navy comes off extremely badly in the distribution of the “Bundeswehr special fund”.