NATO exercise Quadriga 2025: Rostock is preparing for emergencies at sea

NATO exercise Quadriga 2025: Rostock is preparing for emergencies at sea

Around 8,000 Bundeswehr soldiers are in full deployment: the NATO exercise series “Quadriga 2025” is currently making a name for itself. The “Role2Sea” sub-exercise is particularly in the spotlight. This focus exercise simulates a critical situation on the high seas in which 30 people are injured on board a large German Navy ship following a mine explosion. Two of these seriously injured people have already been flown by transport helicopter to the Rostock Südstadt Clinic, where they are treated immediately and taken to the shock room. Loud ndr.de More injured people will be transported tomorrow, while everything is being prepared for the next stage on the supply ship “Frankfurt am Main”.

But what is behind the “Quadriga 2025” exercise series? The Navy is primarily responsible for organizing the exercises and has every reason to be happy: the focus has now changed from land and air operations in 2023 and 2024 to maritime operations. Overall responsibility lies with the naval command in Rostock, which aims to demonstrate Germany's determined ability to defend NATO territory. The logistical support for such a large-scale maneuver such as the transfer of troops and equipment to Lithuania also shows how well the German Bundeswehr is integrated into NATO strategies defense-network.com reported.

Maritime challenges in focus

In order to ensure that these exercises can also be carried out in the face of real threats, various scenarios must be played out. For example, soldiers train to secure the Suwalki Gap, a vital corridor connecting the Baltic states with Poland. In an emergency, Russia could cut off its NATO partners from these countries within a very short time. For this reason, the exercises are part of the comprehensive “Operations Plan Germany”, which includes the transfer of up to 800,000 soldiers xpert.digital.

The aim of the “Role2Sea” exercise is also to ensure an unbroken rescue chain under difficult conditions, which is achieved through close cooperation with civilian health service providers. Logistics are not left behind either: the emergency ship “Frankfurt am Main” not only offers operating theaters, but also a bed ward for caring for the injured.

Future of the Bundeswehr and NATO

The “Quadriga 2025” series of exercises is more than just a military spectacle – it is also an expression of the German armed forces’ transformation into a logistical hub within NATO. The Navy also announced that Chancellor Friedrich Merz would take the opportunity to take a first look at the exercise on board the frigate “Bayern” on Thursday. It remains to be seen what is planned next: The plan is to support the transfer of tanks from the port of Rostock to Lithuania at the beginning of next month, a very clear step towards international cooperation and support.

Overall, the series of exercises not only shows the Bundeswehr's operational readiness, but also Germany's commitment to promoting common security within the framework of NATO. More than 13 nations take part in the various exercises, which underlines that we are strong together. Next year there will not only be further exercises, but also the establishment of a new operational command that will control the planning and implementation of military measures even more effectively.