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)

Source: http://www.janes.com

THE FLEET

The German navy has a new presentation of the fleet out. (in german and english)

http://www.marine.de/portal/PA_1_0_P3/PortalFiles/02DB070000000001/W27AJGZ6602INFODE/Die+Flotte+Nr+10.pdf?yw_repository=youatweb

Ministry asked to explain preference for faulty German subs

Ministry asked to explain preference for faulty German subs

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence has sought an explanation from the Defence Ministry over the controversial purchase of German submarines U-214, which have been found to be lacking stability in rough sea conditions, having faulty Air Independent Propulsion system, vacillating periscopes and were easy to detect.

Committee Chairman Nisar Memon has sought explanation along with full information as to why such subs are being purchased by the Pakistan Navy, though the manufacturers have not yet obtained European Export License.

On the recommendations of the Navy, the Defence Production Division has decided to purchase $1 billion worth of three German manufactured U-214 submarines on a single source basis.

“These subs are not in the service of any navy of the world,” a senior official confirmed to The News. The source said that U-214 manufacturer Howakltsworker-Deutsche Werft GMBH (HDW) had not yet obtained export clearance from the German government or the US Congress for the export of these faulty subs to Pakistan.

The German team, said the source, was summoned for a meeting to discuss various basic issues relating to technicalities of these subs on September 22 this year, but that the meeting did not take place and would now take place in November this year.

Another source said that the submarine section of the Navy had already raised its eyebrows over the functioning and performance of these subs. Some people have already approached the Senate Standing Committee raising many issues.

First, the U-214 (Papanikolis) lacks stability while sailing in rough sea conditions ranging from 35 to 58 degrees. The Greek sea is not so rough as the sea around Pakistan. Two, the Air Independent Propulsion system malfunctions after few hours of sailing.

Three, the sub is not that quiet as is supposed to be, so it is easy to detect it. Four, when the sub is sailing at more than 3 knots, the periscope starts wobbling so there are troubles in looking at the target.

Five, the Greek Navy did not accept the first submarine of Papanikolis class and the HDW will have to pay a penalty of 210 million Euros. The German company HDW and the German government are forcing the Greek government to accept a bad submarine. The HDW has even fired 12 people from the Greek shipyard Skaramanga (full subsidiary of HDW) to push the Greek government to accept the submarine called Papanikolis.

Inquiries are also being held on the performance of Air Propulsion (AIP) system, which was included during the Greek U-214 Sea Acceptance Tests. It was noted by the Greek Navy that the AIP was overheating (despite tests being conducted in Norway) and that the AIP was not capable of delivering the energy it had been designed to deliver.

The source said how it was possible for Pak Navy to build subs in a short time than Agosta with less technical assistance, keeping in mind that the technology provider was using different methodology and it was not clear how much additional cost and delay would be caused due to the change of technology provider.

http://www.thenews.com

More info´s MARS

Germany seeks international interest for IDAS submarine self-defence system

A submarine-launched missile system that promises to radically change the paradigm of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations in favour of the hunted submarine will not see service unless international partners can be found, German defence acquisition officials have warned. Speaking at the SubCon2007 conference
[first posted to http://idr.janes.com – 11 September 2007]
Source: Janes newsletters

Royal Navy to launch remote controlled next-gen ship

THIS is the shape of war to come — a supership to launch unmanned jets, submarines, tanks and boats by remote control.
By 2020 a new generation fleet of Royal Navy ships will replace tens of thousands of troops on the battlefield.
The Sun has been given exclusive blueprint images of this first prototype.
Dubbed the UXV Combatant — and nicknamed Mothership — the concept has been drawn up by UK arms giant BAE Systems.
It could be in service in 13 years — replacing the current fleet of Type 22 frigates.
The 8,000-ton Mothership is a cross between an aircraft carrier and the Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyer.
Its sleek, stealth design means it only shows up on radar as the size of a small fishing boat. Main weapons systems will be concealed, including the 75-mile range, 155mm gun with precision-guided shells.
Each Mothership could carry up to 24 unmanned vehicles for different combat scenarios.
A handful of the ships could execute a full invasion. Currently, it takes around 20 people to crew and maintain one helicopter.
An unmanned version could be run by five. Manned surface patrol boats need 50 sailors to manage. The remote control prototypes need just ten.
BAE Systems’ ship engineering chief Charles Nisbet said: “There is still a way to go but we have been working across industry and closely with the MoD on the concept, and this is a considered response to their request for designs.”
A senior Navy officer said: “The UXV fits very closely with our thinking. “The next generation of surface ships has to be able to do just about everything.”

£4bn carriers for navy may mean cuts in fleet

The first of the 65,000-tonne carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is expected to go into service in 2012, and the second, HMS Prince of Wales, in 2015.
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the first sea lord, said the decision to build them meant that Britain remained “big boys in the navy league“. 😮

The Destruction of the British Navy

One of Europe’s biggest mistakes ever made is that all Western European countries have destroyed their military after the second world war. Before World War II, European countries had the most powerful armies in the world; we ruled the world, Brittania ruled the waves. No matter what happened, and where it happened, European powers were able to intervene.

Slowly but surely, more and more Europeans seem to realize this; this is especially the case is Great Britain

It’s easy to make fun of the Brits, of course, but fact of the matter is that I don’t find this funny at all. Britain once had the most powerful Navy in the world. Labor’s goal seems to have always been to bring it to utter destruction; it has almost succeeded in doing so, if it goes ahead and implements these plans it will succeed. This will not only weaken Britain, it will weaken the West as a whole and the EU. Forget about playing an important role in the world, forget about defending ourselves against possible future attacks, forget about it all. Europe will be handicapped and useless. All we’ll be able to do is to live in our Kantian paradise, hoping everyone will just let us be and live in peace. For if they do not, we can’t do anything about it.

It’s easy. Sell all those old, obsolete ships to Argentina. Let them build up a major navy in the southern hemisphere. And be sure to include a reverse lend-lease clause in the sale agreement. Isn’t it time the lambs and wolves laid down together?

UK is a small Island and its about time to realised it. In todays world where equipment is becoming more and more expensive it is simply cost prohibitive for a small nation to maintain a large and modern navy, army and airforce.

It’s about time that UK consolidated with other European nations and brought about a common European defence policy that falls outside of NATO.

Source of the Absolom article in english:

http://www.navalhistory.dk/English/NavyNews/2007/0818_AbsalonFinallyAtSea.htm