Chancellor Merz: The German Navy is receiving massive support!”

Chancellor Merz: The German Navy is receiving massive support!”

At a time when security policy challenges are making the headlines, Chancellor Merz is meeting the German Navy today. The visit aims to reaffirm the Federal Government's support for the Navy, which, with around 15,300 soldiers, is the smallest branch of the Bundeswehr. The Chancellor's program includes important exercises for maritime supply, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare, as well as defense against missile attacks, as [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/kanzler-merz-zu-antrittsvisit-bei-deutscher-marine- Werden-bundeswehr-massiv-unterstuetzen-106.html) reports. The aim is to protect the freedom, peace and territorial integrity of the NATO alliance area. After the visit, Merz will travel to France to have a dinner with President Macron in Toulon.

The importance of the navy for NATO is also demonstrated by the ongoing exercises as part of Quadriga 2025. This exercise focuses on the maritime dimension and is the follow-up to previous air and land operations trained in previous years. The Navy is leading the organization and execution of this exercise, which is intended to demonstrate a resolve and capability to defend NATO territory, as outlined by Defence Network. The particular focus of these exercises is, among other things, logistical support for army forces, the relocation of troops and equipment to Lithuania and spatial security against multidimensional threats, which has become even more important due to Russia's presence in the Baltic Sea.

Current maneuvers in the Baltic Sea region

NATO is currently conducting its annual Baltops naval exercise in the Baltic Sea, in which 50 ships, 25 aircraft and around 9,000 soldiers from 17 nations are taking part. This routine exercise comes in a worrying context as tensions with Russia rise. A Russian observation ship, the “Vasiliy Tatishchev”, monitors the NATO exercises from a distance of three nautical miles, which does not leave the marines indifferent. Frigate captain S. describes the Russian ship as a potential reconnaissance vehicle that pays attention to radar frequencies and flight operations, as [ZDF today](https://www.zdfheute.de/politik/deutschland/ostsee-nato-manoever-baltops-fregatte-bayern- defense-100.html) reports.

The German frigate “Bayern” in particular is heavily used during the exercises. It is excellently prepared for the fight against submarines, which is of crucial importance in the current security situation. Captain Lieutenant K. leads a team that specializes in submarine hunting and carefully analyzes data on water depths and seabed structures. Despite the increased warning level, crews remain calm and focused, with cell phones prohibited on deck to avoid any tracking.

A look into the future

The current exercises are not only a demonstration of military power, but also a sign of the Bundeswehr's necessary operational readiness. It is particularly worth mentioning that Homeland Security and the Navy's reserve forces are practicing in parallel in Germany. Quadriga 2025 is intended to increase the efficiency and processes of the Bundeswehr and contribute to national deterrence, as is clear from the comments and reports. Civil-military contact, such as medical care at sea, is also strongly emphasized.

Overall, it can be seen that the federal government and especially the navy are in an intensive preparation process for any necessary operations, while the challenges of the geopolitical landscape in Europe are becoming increasingly complex. The exercises are part of a broader strategy to ensure security in the region and are all about cooperation within NATO.