German Navy
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History
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The German Navy (German: Deutsche Marine) is the navy of Germany. It traces its root back to the Imperial Fleet (Reichsflotte) of the revolutionary era of 1848-1852 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy (Norddeutsche Bundesmarine, 1866-1871) and became the Imperial Navy (Kaiserliche Marine, 1872-1918). The German Navy was known as the Temporary Imperial Navy (Vorläufige Reichsmarine) from 1919 to 1921 and then became the Reichsmarine. It was known as the War Navy (Kriegsmarine) from 1935 to 1945. In 1956, with West Germany's accession to NATO, a new navy was established and was referred to as the Federal Navy (Bundesmarine). With the reunification of Germany in 1990, it was decided to simply use the name "German Navy".
Missions
The German Navy is part of the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). It is deeply integrated into the NATO alliance. Its mission includes the participation in peace keeping and peace enforcement operations as well as the protection of German and Allied territories. German war ships permanently participate in all NATO Reaction Force Maritime Groups. The German Navy is also engaged in operations against international terrorism such as Operation Enduring Freedom.
Organisation
The Germman Navy is being commanded by the Chief of the Naval Staff in the Federal Ministry of Defence in Bonn. The major commands are the Fleet Command at Glücksburg near Flensburg and the Naval Office at Rostock. The Fleet comprises all combat vessels, aircraft, helicopters, and other combat forces while schools, naval bases, and test installations are under the purview of the Naval Office. The strength of the Navy is about 19.000 men and women with another 6.000 navy personnel serving in different elements of the central military organisation of the Bundeswehr.
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The main weapons systems of the German Navy are:
- 15 frigates
- 22 mine counter-measure vessels
- 10 submarines
- 16 fast patrol baots
- 10 auxillary vessels
- 14 maritime patrol aircraft
- 38 helicopters
See also
External links
- Deutsche Marine Official Website (http://www.marine.de/redaktionen/marine/internet/dmbas.nsf/Frame/N25MWCTQ301MJOEDE) In German