German Navy - Pistorius tests purchase of additional submarines
In light of the threat situation from Russia, investments in the navy are of indispensable value for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). "Therefore, I will now engage in the second half of the year with the question of how and at what speed we can order the further required four U-Boats of the 212CD class," Pistorius said during a visit to the marine in Schleswig-Holstein's Eckernförde. "This will also become apparent in the context of further budget consultations." Germany has so far ordered two of the boats and has an option for four to six more.
The contract value for four additional U-Boats could amount to nearly four billion Euros according to information from the German Press Agency. The 212CD boats are a German-Norwegian billion-dollar project. Work on the first of four U-Boats for Norway has already begun at the Kiel shipyard Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems.
Pistorius dives in
Soldiers demonstrated a seaborne military evacuation operation to Pistorius during the visit. In addition, the minister went aboard "U31" including a dive. "I am impressed by what I have experienced here," Pistorius said. The dive was "an experience that I greatly enjoyed and which I will not forget soon."
The operational readiness of German boats was a matter of public criticism in the past. "These times are over," Pistorius said. The material operational readiness of the U-Boats has significantly improved.
Investments in infrastructure
The navy invested around 72 million Euros in infrastructure at the Eckernförde base in the past five years according to the minister. "In the coming years, we will take another 500 million Euros into our hands here at the site, focus on water construction measures," Pistorius said.
The defense minister also addressed the personnel issues of the navy and referred to an online campaign of the Baltic Fleet. In one month, 50 interested parties for service on board were won over, who want to do an internship. "I am sure that one or the other seafaring heart will be discovered and then finds its future in the navy."
- The German Navy, under the leadership of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, recognizes the necessity of substantial investments due to the threatening situation from Russia.
- Pistorius plans to deliberate on the acquisition of additional four U-Boats of the 212CD class in the second half of the year, as mentioned during his visit to Eckernförde's marine in Schleswig-Holstein.
- The German Press Agency reports that the contract value for four additional U-Boats could reach nearly four billion Euros, making the 212CD boats a significant investment for Germany and Norway.
- The Federal Military is making investments in infrastructure at the Eckernförde base, with roughly 72 million Euros spent over the past five years, as announced by Defense Minister Pistorius.
- The operational readiness of German submarines has been a subject of criticism in the past, but Pistorius assures that times have changed, and the material operational readiness of the U-Boats has shown significant improvement.
- SPD's Defense Minister Pistorius spent time aboard a German submarine during his visit to Schleswig-Holstein, expressing his admiration for the experience, which he claimed he would not forget soon.
- In an effort to address personnel issues, Pistorius highlighted an online campaign by the Baltic Fleet, which resulted in 50 interested parties for service on board, hoping to discover some seafaring hearts for a future in the navy.
