**Germany’s Bundeswehr is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific — at a time when war rages closer to home, in Ukraine. But Berlin is seeking to demonstrate cooperation with its “value partners” in Australia.**
A war is raging in Europe. This has put a spotlight on Germany’s Bundeswehr and its shortcomings, with leading officers deploring a dramatic shortage of functional equipment.
And yet, Germany’s air force is currently participating in a military exercise on the other side of the globe, in Australia, where it has sent six Eurofighter jets.
It’s an ambitious undertaking. Some 250 German soldiers are involved; in addition to the fighter jets, four transport aircraft and three newly acquired air-to-air refueling tankers have been sent to Darwin in northern Australia, with some 100 tons of material.
Among other things, the air force delivery operation was intended to prove that Germany’s air force is operational and can be deployed quickly — even to the Indo-Pacific region. The transfer of fighter jets and supply planes to the stopover in Singapore in mid-August, which went by the name Rapid Pacific 2022, was accomplished within 24 hours. In military jargon, this is called “strategic deployment capability.”
The so-called Pitch Black military exercise, from August 19 to September 8, is bringing together some 2,500 personnel and 100 aircraft from around the world in Australia’s Northern Territory. Germany is already planning to participate in a series of exercises next year in Australia, this time with its army, according to a Reuters interview with Germany’s top military official in late August.
Inspector General Eberhard Zorn also announced the navy’s return to the Indo-Pacific, with an entire fleet unit. “We don’t want to provoke anyone with our presence, but we also want to send a clear signal of solidarity to our value partners,” Zorn explained.
**National defense was the day before yesterday**
With its deployment to Australia, Germany’s military has come a long way — and not just geographically. Founded in 1955, West Germany’s Bundeswehr was focused purely on national defense for decades after World War II. And its main task was deterrence: After all, until German reunification in 1990, the Iron Curtain between East and West ran right through the middle of Germany, with a heavily armed military on each side.
The Bundeswehr took part in the Kosovo war in 1999, but only after months of heated political debate. Then, in 2004, the Bundeswehr launched its Afghanistan mission, with Defense Minister Peter Struck famously telling Germans that their country’s security interests were now being defended in the Hindu Kush mountains.
Ay mates! Whats the good word?
Would be cool if we just minded our own business and do not get caught up in a war outside of Europe.
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**Germany’s Bundeswehr is increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific — at a time when war rages closer to home, in Ukraine. But Berlin is seeking to demonstrate cooperation with its “value partners” in Australia.**
A war is raging in Europe. This has put a spotlight on Germany’s Bundeswehr and its shortcomings, with leading officers deploring a dramatic shortage of functional equipment.
And yet, Germany’s air force is currently participating in a military exercise on the other side of the globe, in Australia, where it has sent six Eurofighter jets.
It’s an ambitious undertaking. Some 250 German soldiers are involved; in addition to the fighter jets, four transport aircraft and three newly acquired air-to-air refueling tankers have been sent to Darwin in northern Australia, with some 100 tons of material.
Among other things, the air force delivery operation was intended to prove that Germany’s air force is operational and can be deployed quickly — even to the Indo-Pacific region. The transfer of fighter jets and supply planes to the stopover in Singapore in mid-August, which went by the name Rapid Pacific 2022, was accomplished within 24 hours. In military jargon, this is called “strategic deployment capability.”
The so-called Pitch Black military exercise, from August 19 to September 8, is bringing together some 2,500 personnel and 100 aircraft from around the world in Australia’s Northern Territory. Germany is already planning to participate in a series of exercises next year in Australia, this time with its army, according to a Reuters interview with Germany’s top military official in late August.
Inspector General Eberhard Zorn also announced the navy’s return to the Indo-Pacific, with an entire fleet unit. “We don’t want to provoke anyone with our presence, but we also want to send a clear signal of solidarity to our value partners,” Zorn explained.
**National defense was the day before yesterday**
With its deployment to Australia, Germany’s military has come a long way — and not just geographically. Founded in 1955, West Germany’s Bundeswehr was focused purely on national defense for decades after World War II. And its main task was deterrence: After all, until German reunification in 1990, the Iron Curtain between East and West ran right through the middle of Germany, with a heavily armed military on each side.
The Bundeswehr took part in the Kosovo war in 1999, but only after months of heated political debate. Then, in 2004, the Bundeswehr launched its Afghanistan mission, with Defense Minister Peter Struck famously telling Germans that their country’s security interests were now being defended in the Hindu Kush mountains.
Ay mates! Whats the good word?
Would be cool if we just minded our own business and do not get caught up in a war outside of Europe.