Minister Pistorius in Eckernförde: a turning point in the submarine squadron

Eckernförde. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had just gone diving in the submarine when the first news emerged: there were massive IT problems worldwide, it was said, computers were stuck in endless loops, blue screens were flooding the screens. Airports and hospitals all over the world were affected – and no one knew what was behind it.

It’s situations like this that you try to prepare for, but then get caught off guard. Later it will become apparent a failed software update that caused the failures. But the scene illustrates how fragile the sense of security is today and how much the changed threat situation haunts people’s minds.

Pistorius considers buying more submarines

Boris Pistorius’ second visit to the Eckernförde naval base focuses on this changed threat situation. On Friday, the Minister of Defence exchanged views with soldiers from the Sea Battalion and the 1st Submarine Squadron, went diving with the “U31” and attended a demonstration by the Sea Battalion.

After the dive, Pistorius announced that he wanted to investigate whether and how quickly “we can order the four additional Class 212CD submarines that we need – that remains to be seen, also in the light of further budget discussions.” Two submarines of this class have been ordered. Germany has the option to buy four to six boats of this class. Cost: around 1 billion euros each. The 212CD boats are a multi-billion dollar German-Norwegian project. At the Kiel shipyard Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems has work on the first of four submarines for Norway began.

Pistorius: 500 million euro investment is safe

Investments are also continuing: two fleet service boats of the 424 class will be purchased, as well as combat boats for the sea battalion “in order to significantly increase combat readiness again”. The material operational readiness of the 1st submarine squadron has been the subject of public criticism in the past, but that is over: “In accordance with the changing times, we are now aligning the submarine squadron and also the sea battalion with the future.” The focus is shifting from international crisis management to national and alliance defense.

In the past five years, 72 million euros have been spent on expanding the infrastructure of the Eckernförde base. Another 500 million euros will be added in the coming years. The focus should be on hydraulic engineering measures, such as pier facilities; further infrastructure measures are also planned, as well as the start of German-Norwegian cooperation in the field of submarines. The fact that the budget only allocates 53.3 billion euros for defence expenditure instead of the required 58 billion euros has an impact on the Eckernford planned investments, Pistorius assured.

If they could wish for anything, many at the Eckernförde base would probably get it for less bureaucracy emphatically. The problem is that processes sometimes take far too long. “We’ve been waiting for the combat boats since 2008 to close a major capability gap. There’s simply too much administration, which often gets in our own way. “Sometimes you just have to do things!” said one amphibious soldier.

During the meeting, which lasted several hours, it became clear how the situation for the soldiers right outside the door changed. For example, Russian units are more present than before. A marine told about the trip from Eckernförde to Kiel Week, when the crew was happy to see a warship and only As I got closer I realized it was Russian.

There is something hidden in the Baltic Sea. “It’s like standing on a vast expanse of sand. You know there’s quicksand in one place. But you don’t know where.” In the current situation, one thing is needed above all: a credible deterrent. And that can only be achieved with a strong marine.

The German Navy regularly proves its strength. In addition to maritime operations with international crisis and conflict management as in Mediterranean or within Lebanon the Navy protects shipping, such as in Operation “Aspides” in the Red Sea or in the Indo-Pacific deployment. And by participating in the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac). Hawaii “We are now taking part for the first time with two German warships in one of the largest naval manoeuvres in the world, involving 25,000 soldiers.”

The minister’s conclusion was positive. “We have set the right course and do not need to go into hiding, but we will go out with our heads held high and will ensure that the Navy can continue to perform its tasks as reliably as it has always been able to do. In short: “We can rely on our Bundeswehr.”

KN