German Navy sets course for expeditionary roles

Some 10 years ago, following a review of the post-Second World War constitution that had restricted it to a territorial defence role, Germany's Federal Defence Force (Bundeswehr) was in mid-step towards a new post-Cold War modus operandi.

The Bundeswehr had a number of preliminary international deployments under its belt and there was a growing acceptance that out-of-area operations would play an increasingly important part in its future.

The late 1990s saw the German Army and air force participate in combat operations for the first time since 1955.

Although the German Navy (Deutsche Marine) was the first service to venture out of area, deploying mine countermeasures vessels to the eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf in 1990-01, it remained less visible throughout the latter part of the decade.

This changed early in the new millennium following 9/11 and the ensuing NATO operations 'Active Endeavour' (OAE) in the Mediterranean and 'Enduring Freedom' (OEF) off the Horn of Africa, and by 2008 the navy's warships were spending ever longer periods of time away from their home ports.

Now, the navy again finds itself in a period of significant transformation as it prepares for another leap forward. The first platforms acquired specifically for international operations in the littoral are on the verge of entering service and the next class of surface combatants designed for stabilisation operations are on order.

Since the new Defence Policy Guidelines were published in May 2003, additional tasks that go beyond the protection of Germany's territory and citizens and the support of its NATO alliance partners have become enshrined in official doctrine.

The new priorities were elaborated further in the first defence White Paper to be issued in Germany for 12 years, the 'White Paper 2006 on German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr'.

According to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Wolfgang Nolting, the White Paper "re-iterates the navy's expeditionary character and its special responsibility for the seaward security of our country".

The recognition of an expeditionary nature also signifies the final steps in the shift from a defensive-orientated escort force to a navy capable of deploying to, and operating unhindered for extended periods off the shores of, global trouble spots. This will include protection of vital sea lines of communications (SLOCs) and coasts against conventional and asymmetrical threats, according to Vice Adm Nolting.

The navy is also being called upon to support German or allied missions ashore by co-ordinating and commanding joint forces, gathering intelligence and providing surveillance, as well as providing supplies, medical assistance and evacuation when required.

Concrete steps were taken in 2004 with the publication of a 'Concept for the Bundeswehr', which outlined the steps required to transform the three branches into a leaner, modern force prepared for future international missions. As part of this transformation, the foundations were laid for the purchase of ex-Royal Netherlands NavyP-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and the design and build of Type 125 high-endurance stabilisation frigates.

At the very end of 2004 the federal parliament formalised the legislature's role in authorising (and ending) international missions.

In tandem with the political transformation, the future structure of the fleet was adjusted too. The new organisational structure, which was implemented by mid-2006, maintains Fleet Command in Glücksburg in its overall responsibility as headquarters and supplier of vessels for operations.

However, the major change centres on the arrangement of flotillas, with the existing type-based flotillas abandoned in favour of two larger operations-orientated formations.

Image: System problems have dogged the introduction of Germany's Sachsen-class frigates. FGS Sachsen is seen with a US Navy destroyer in the Atlantic Ocean in February 2007. The ships were training in support of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. (US Navy) 577 of 4,389 words