Chancellor at the fleet: Merz: Threat of Russia is real

A visit to the Navy: Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) comes to the frigate “Bavaria” by helicopter. In the sea area in front of Warnemünde, successful defense exercises against attacks from the air are shown and the detection of a submarine is also demonstrated. The Bundeswehr fulfills an important order in the eastern and North Sea in the North Atlantic area, says the Chancellor. The state and alliance defense has become more necessary since Russia on Ukraine in February 2022.

“We see daily actions of the Russian army. They test our willingness to defend and our ability to defend. And therefore I want to say that in the next few months and in the next few years we will do everything we can to protect the freedom, peace and the territorial integrity of the alliance area,” said Merz, who was accompanied by the inspector of Marine, Jan Christian Kaack. The threat of Russia is real. In Russian attacks on Kiev on Thursday night, European representation was also damaged for the first time.

Before his flight to the frigate, the Chancellor in Rostock visited the marine command and visited the new national headquarters “Commander Task Force Baltic” (CTF). The CTF, founded in 2024, plans Maritime operations and practice projects and leads naval forces allocated by NATO in peace, crisis and war. He had the greatest respect for the soldiers of the navy, some of whom were doing their job on the ships for many weeks and months, without home leave and without their families, emphasized the Chancellor.

Merz made it clear that a lot will have to be invested in the equipment of the armed forces in the next few years. “We are ready to do that, but that’s not just a material question. It is also and above all a personnel question. Do not defend ships, not machines, not tanks, not planes, but people do work and people defend our country.” On board, Merz spoke with bockwurst with soldiers at pea soup.

The German Navy has around 15,300 soldiers. After the Air Force (28,000) and the army (63,000), it is the smallest partial dispute of the Bundeswehr. Merz flew back from the frigate with the helicopter. He then wanted to go to France, where he eats dinner in Toulon with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Hanseatic city of Rostock has become very important for the naval in recent years. Around 1,800 soldiers are stationed at the location, which also includes the base in Warnemünde. There are also around 300 civil workers. The naval command has been located there since 2012. The Hohe Düne base in Warnemünde on the eastern Warnow page has a long tradition to which the Volks navy also belongs. The location gained weight with the takeover of the Warnowwerft by the federal government. Naval ships are serviced there.

Criticism of Merz’s visit to the Navy came from the left. There are volumes that the Federal Chancellor’s first visit to MV military facilities of the German Marine. “With all respect for the Bundeswehr: A statesman who really wants to advance our country should not rely on the strengthening of armaments and military presence, but should take a look at future areas – innovation, education, culture, health economy or renewable energies,” said the parliamentary managing director and peace -political spokesman for the left group in the Schwerin state parliament, Torsten Koplin.