DMI Archive - marineforum

Germany is not "not affected"

MarineForum — Sun, 18 May 2025 14:43:52 +0000

"What do the upheavals of the current security policy situation mean for Germany?"

You have to ask this question: War and crisis centres around the world have a global impact. They also affect Germany and Europe, even if there are political voices that want to deny this. The question is not whether our society, economy and politics are affected by crises and war, but how.

Inspired by this, the German Maritime Institute also posed a topical question on the security policy situation in the third edition of its "Institute Plenum". The realisation is that, as the largest country in the centre of Europe, we are always affected by all international crises. "Surely there are some interesting perspectives on this" was the approach: so on 7 May, the internal and invited group of experts gathered at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College for an exchange of views.

Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider, President of the DMI, welcomed the attendees and the host's representative, Captain z. S. Dr André Pecher, Acting Head of Research, German Institute for Defence Studies, to an intensive afternoon of discussion. The moderator was Frigate Captain Dr Heiko Herold.

The first lecture with the question "Where is the USA heading under President Donald Trump?" by Frigate Captain Klaus Lund, Commander of the Flying Group of Naval Air Wing 3 "Graf Zeppelin", was a very personal insight into American society. Klaus Lund looks back on a stay at the elite Yale University and is in close contact with the allies, not least because of the Boeing P8 armament procurement for his unit. His picture was less a treatise on security policy than a structured observation of social developments from personal experience

Yu-Shun Chen and Dr Sebastian Bruns

Dr Sebastian Bruns from the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK) stood in for Julian Pawlak, who was unable to attend. His insights into American security interests are characterised by several years of academic work in the USA, including as a visiting professor at the US Naval Academy. He answered the question of whether "American action is the retreat of American naval power?" and what challenges arise for the conventional defence of the "European peninsula" from a European perspective.

The Asian perspective was presented to the audience by Yu-Shun Chen. The Director General of the Taipei Representation in Hamburg presented Taiwan's interests in very personal and reserved words. His view of things is highly topical from a German perspective. The Indo-Pacific deployment of the German Navy and German interests in the Far East were the topics of discussion. The relationship with China was of particular interest to the audience.

A very fulfilling afternoon for the maritime community around the DMI, but not for the public.

3rd Institute Plenum of the German Maritime Institute

Text: hsc / Photos: Brüdegam

Der Beitrag Deutschland ist nicht "nicht betroffen" erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

Maritime Convention 2024, Berlin - More globally relevant than ever

MarineForum — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 11:50:52 +0000

The 17th edition of the Maritime Convention 2024 in Berlin took place in the shadow of several political events.

The format is unchanged, a large audience that is continuously represented by younger people remains loyal for many years, the topics are always up to date and the relevance of maritime issues is emphasised anew every year. This trend, which has been observed for years, should German Maritime Institute (DMI) The company's aim is to carry the maritime idea inland and into people's consciousness.

However, the growing presence of the maritime sector is developing in an increasingly unpeaceful world - the expertise of the DMI very much in demand, but this is not how the world was actually imagined 51 years ago. The DMI with its president Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider and griephan with its editor Heinz Schulte, founding member and spiritus rector at the same time, could once again look back on an impressive list of international speakers and panellists.

The plenary session was attended by a whole phalanx of political and military celebrities: Lieutenant General Bruno Hofbauer, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Austrian Armed Forces, retired General Hans-Lothar Domröse, retired Admiral Manfred Nielson, Rear Admiral Müller-Meinhard, MP Ingo Gaedechens, MP and retired State Secretary Marcus Grübel listened to the keynote speaker, retired Admiral Joachim Rühle. This was his first public appearance following his recent retirement as Chief of Staff NATO SHAPE. He drew an unembellished picture of the "multicomplex polycrisis", as he called it, and the new role of the alliance that comes with it.

The first panel consisted of: Ministerial Director Dr Jasper Wieck, Head of the Policy Department at the BMVg, Dr Robin Allers from the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies and Evelyne Coulombe from the Canadian Embassy in Germany. The topic was both surprising and good: the new German-Norwegian-Canadian cooperation, moderated by Dr May-Britt Stumbaum from the George C. Marshall Center. The second panel was moderated with his usual charm by Heinz Schulte, who welcomed Nick Childs from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the recently retired Rear Admiral Jürgen Ehle.

The Q&A sessions ended in the late afternoon at the Schleswig-Holstein Representation in the Ministerial Gardens in Berlin. Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack, who had flown in at short notice from the christening of the Israeli submarine INS DRAKON, opened his speech by congratulating everyone on celebrating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the Bundeswehr. He addressed the current issues facing the German Navy, starting with the route of the Indo-Pacific Association, instead of travelling through the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope. Based on the risk assessment, the minister decided to follow the advice of the navy, as the Huthi are to be taken very seriously. The "IPD" is to be regarded as permanent in the future, but he did not publicly explain in which presence in this circle. He also addressed the importance of current defence projects such as the F 126, F 127 and U 212 CD. In connection with the "Drehscheibe Deutschland", he also mentioned the commissioning of the CTF Baltic headquarters.

The traditional highlight of the event was the presentation of the annual Report on Germany's maritime dependency in facts, figures and data. In the past, it was possible to mark the official handover of the Navy's report to the President of the DMI both gentlemen remain empty-handed this time. Nor did the visitors' briefcases have to hold the 200-page report, which weighed almost a kilogramme last year, because it is available electronically in the future.

In conclusion, he thanked DMI President Karsten Schneider to the speakers and guests for their attendance. As always, the evening ended with a buffet and lively discussions between representatives from politics, the armed forces, authorities and business.

The report was prepared by the Naval Shipping Management Department of the Rostock Naval Command under the leadership of Frigate Captain Steffen Lange.

Report on Germany's Maritime Dependency 2024
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/marine/organisation/marineschifffahrtleitung/maritime-abhaengigkeit

hsc

241112_Maritime_Convention_Twardy_05_long

Former Rear Admiral Karsten Schneider opens the Maritime Convention, Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

German Navy: "Regionally rooted - globally committed!" Award

Former Admiral Joachim Rühle, former Chief of Staff, NATO SHAPE, speaks at the event: German Navy: "Regionally rooted - globally committed!" Rethinking defence cooperation, in Berlin on 12.11.2024. Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

German Navy: "Regionally rooted - globally committed!" Award

Ministerial Director Dr Jasper Wieck in conversation with Evelyne Coulombe and Dr May-Britt Stumbaum, Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

241112_Maritime_Convention_Twardy_02

MP Markus Grübel in conversation with Admiral Rühle and Karsten Schneider Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

German Navy: "Regionally rooted - globally committed!" Award

Ministerial Director Dr Jasper Wieck Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

German Navy: "Regionally rooted - globally committed!" Award

Karsten Schneider and Dr May-Britt Stumbaum Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

241112_Maritime_Convention_Twardy_06

Former Admiral Joachim Rühle, Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

20241112_MCDMI Bruedegam (1)

Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack Photo: DMI / Brüdegam

241112_Maritime_Convention_Twardy_10_2

Dr May-Britt Stumbaum Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

German Navy: "Regionally rooted - globally committed!" Award

Retired General Hans-Lothar Domröse Photo: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy

20241112_MCDMI Bruedegam (7)

Organiser griephan : Heinz Schulte Photo: DMI / Brüdegam

Der Beitrag Maritime Convention 2024, Berlin – Global relevanter denn je erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

MS & D - Importance of maritime safety

MarineForum — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:51:50 +0000

Welcome to the most important shipping industry event in the world: SMM 2024 is in full swing with around 40,000 participants from over 120 countries. It is a unique platform for business, exchange of ideas and cooperation. More than 2,000 exhibiting companies will provide an insight into the latest state of the art. Key areas such as future fuels, sustainability, decarbonisation and innovation through AI dominate the discussions.

With a unique range of networking, conferences and many small "come togethers", SMM is the industry event of the year. From stand parties to business talks, everything is possible. The "United Nations of Shipbuilding", as it was called at the opening ceremony, meet here in Hamburg. And so it is not surprising that the celebrities of the shipping industry have come together and will continue to do so until Friday. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the IMO, Dr Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners' Association, Dieter Janecek, Maritime Coordinator of the German Federal Government and Silke Lehmkoester from HAPAG Lloyd welcomed the visitors to the opening panel, to name but a few. The motto of this year's SMM is "Driving the Maritime Transition". Nowhere are the changes to be mastered on the world's oceans more evident than in the area of safety.

But no trade without protection. Maritime security is a current core topic at SMM. The Maritime Security & Defence Conference is therefore traditionally held during the trade fair. This year, the conference will be organised by DMI. It has long been customary to use this opportunity not only to celebrate the booming industry, but also to take a look at the risks, because shipping is challenged. There are hazards in the Black and Red Seas, on Africa's west and east coasts and in Asia.

During MS & D, representatives from navies and industry, science and start-ups will be on stage together. As the German Maritime Institute, we are firmly convinced that this conference will provide a powerful impetus to turn new ideas into reality.

SMM 2024, Photo:IK

Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider and Irina Haesler, Photo: IK

Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack in conversation with KzS Nils Brandt, photo:IK

Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider, President of the DMI, Photo: IK

Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack Inspector of the Navy, Photo: IK

SMM 2024, Photo:IK

Uwe Mergener, Admiral Igor Kabanenko, Holger Schlüter at the SMM 2024, Photo:IK

Captain Stuart Robertson, Photo:IK

Captain Sebastian Hamann, German Navy, Photo:IK

Irina Haesler, Head of the EU Representation / Member of the Board, VDR, Photo:IK

Captain Sebastian Hamann, German Navy, Photo:IK

Vice President Dr Sarah Kirchberger, Photo:IK

Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack and Irina Haesler, Photo: IKVice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack and Irina Haesler, Photo: IK

Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack and Irina Haesler, Photo: IK

SMM 2024, Photo:IK

Tamsen Maritim at the SMM 2024, photo:IK

Abeking & Rasmussen at the SMM 2024 , Photo:IK

SMM 2024, Photo:IK

Tamsen Maritim at the SMM 2024, photo:IK

thyssenkrupp at the SMM 2024, photo:IK

NVL at the SMM 2024, photo:IK

Der Beitrag MS & D - Bedeutung der maritimen Sicherheit erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

MS&D 2024 - what it's all about!

MarineForum — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:00:04 +0000

Every two years, the world of shipping meets in Hamburg for the SMM.

It has long been customary to use this occasion not only to celebrate the booming industry, but also to take a look at the risks. This is why the Maritime Security and Defence (MS&D) conference is held.

The motto of this year's SMM is "Driving the Maritime Transition". Nowhere are the changes to be mastered on the world's oceans more evident than in the area of safety. It is the traditional theme of MS&D - this year under completely different auspices than in the past.

Civilian and military shipping are equally challenged. Whether in the Black or Red Sea, on Africa's west and east coasts, and not least in the eastern part of Asia, there are completely new threats, technologies and tactics. The speed of change and new forms of conflict are unfamiliar and surprising, even for longstanding experts. Times of upheaval require solutions for the future. The German Navy has led the way for many others in describing some of the new trends. Artificial intelligence, unmanned systems in all dimensions and larger quantities of simple systems instead of less complex large-scale projects characterise this path. There are enough good analyses, now is the time to implement them. Defence spending is increasing in most countries. This alone makes it attractive for many new providers to enter the growing security and defence market with unconventional ideas. At the same time, established manufacturers are looking for innovative partners to develop alternative technology segments. Dual use is the order of the day - and this is where the full strength of SMM comes into play, as civil and military technology have always been exhibited side by side. This is precisely where MS&D comes in. With its "Challenges of Transition in The Naval and Maritime Domain" programme, it aims to bring together players who are often still unfamiliar with each other. The discussions will focus on challenges and solutions in equal measure. Representatives from navies and industry, from science and from start-ups will be on stage together. As the German Maritime Institute, we are firmly convinced that this conference will provide a powerful impetus to turn new ideas into reality. We are looking forward to MS&D 2024.

Karsten Schneider

Der Beitrag MS&D 2024 – worum es geht! erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

MS&D: Maritime security a focus of the SMM

MarineForum — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:30:00 +0000

The maritime world is exposed to multiple threats, the armed conflicts in the Black and Red Seas being just two of them. Maritime security is an issue all over the world, and not just for the defence sector.

From piracy to illegal fishing: trade and free sea routes are under threat. Against this backdrop, prominent figures from politics, industry, science and navies will meet next September. They will discuss urgent issues of security and defence at sea. The forum for this will be the MS&D Conference which will take place from 5-6 September as part of the SMM.

For the first time, the "Conference on maritime security and defence" is cooperating with the German Maritime Institute (DMI).

The theme of this year's MS&D conference is "Challenges of Transition in the Naval and Maritime Domain". In addition to the current geopolitical challenges, this year's MS&D conference topics include the industry's technical responses to invasion threats, dealing with critical underwater infrastructure, the use of dual-use technology and the latest trends in naval shipbuilding.

In four panels and around 20 open lectures, the high-calibre speakers will provide an insight into their respective fields of activity.

Agenda

Challenges of Transition

in the Naval and Maritime Domain

Thursday, 5 September 2024

10:30-10:40 Opening Remarks: Plotting the Course of MS&D

Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider, DMI President (confirmed)

10:40-11:00 Keynote

Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Chief of German Navy (confirmed)

11:00-12:00 Panel 1: Current Challenges in the Maritime Domain

Moderation: Professor Dr May-Britt StumbaumStrategic Security Studies Chair, George C. Marshall Centre for European Security (confirmed)

10 minutes per speaker, 25 minutes Q&A

New Technologies and Their Impact on Maritime Security:

Yemen and the Black Sea in Perspective

Captain (Navy) Sebastian Hamann, German Navy (confirmed)

Asymmetrical Threats Against Commercial Shipping

Irina Haesler, Head of EU Representation / / Member of the Executive Board, German Shipowners' Association (confirmed)

Maritime Aspects of Military Logistics - New Challenges

TBC - WISTA speaker requested

12:00-14:00 Lunch break

14:00-14:10 Potential Wildcard Presentation (TBD)

Speaker TBD (Proposals from the start-up pool, POC: Dr Moritz Brake)

14:10-15:10 Panel 2: Maritime Domain Awareness & Multi Domain Ops - Above and Under Water

Moderation: Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider, DMI (confirmed)

10 minutes per speaker, 25 minutes Q&A

New Trends & Technologies

Gillian GrayPrincipal Naval Architect, Gray Naval Architecture Ltd (TBC)

Critical Undersea Infrastructure

Rear Admiral Christian Walter Meyer, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, German Navy Command (confirmed)

The Maritime Contribution to Multi Domain Operations

Major General (ret.) Mick RyanSenior Fellow for Military Studies, Lowy Institute (Sydney); Adjunct Fellow, Australia Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies (Washington DC) (confirmed)

15:10-15:30 Coffee Break

15:30-16:30 Maritime Innovation Challenge

Innovation and disruptive technologies as a strategic imperative: Pitches of innovative small companies and start-ups addressing the pressing needs in maritime security and defence.

Moderation:

Moritz Brake, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Nexmaris GmbH; Senior Fellow for Maritime Security and Strategy, CASSIS Think-Tank, University of Bonn

Bertrand Mignot, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Nexmaris GmbH

Nexmaris GmbH, partners of DMI, www.nexmaris.eu

18:00-19:00 Reception

Friday, 6 September 2024

10:30-11:30 Panel 3: Asymmetric Naval Responses - The Illusion of Low-Intensity Warfare at Sea

Moderation: Dr Sarah KirchbergerDMI Vice President & Director ISPK, Kiel (confirmed)

10 minutes per speaker, 25 minutes Q&A

Technological Responses to Maritime Security Challenges in the Indo-Pacific Area

Dr Jyh-Shyang SheuAssistant Research Fellow, Taiwan Institute for National Defence and Security Research

Dr Jyun-yi LeeAssociate Research Fellow, Taiwan Institute for National Defence and Security Research

(both confirmed)

Asymmetrical Warfare Against Conventional Navies

Admiral (ret.) Igor KabanenkoPhD, President of Ukrainian Advanced Research Project Agency, former Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine (confirmed)

11:30-12:00 Coffee Break

12:00-13:00 Panel 4: Trends in Naval Shipbuilding

Moderation: Heinz Schulte, DMI Board Member (confirmed)

10 minutes per speaker, 15 minutes Q&A

Trends in Naval Shipbuilding - A German Perspective (Title TBD)

Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, Head of Equipment Department at the German Ministry of Defence (positive response, confirmation pending)

Asymmetrical Threats: Drone Carriers - the Answer?

Representative of Damen Shipyard (confirmed, speaker TBD)

Engineering and Design Trends in Naval Shipbuilding

Jochen StiehleManaging Director NVL (positive response, confirmation pending)

Application of AI in the Naval Shipbuilding Industry

Jonas NeustockTeam Lead Operations Artificial Intelligence at TKMS (confirmed)

13:00-13:15 Summing Up MS&D / End of Conference

Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider, DMI President (confirmed)

Der Beitrag MS&D: Maritime Sicherheit ein Schwerpunkt der SMM erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

Pioneering technologies for safe shipping

MarineForum — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 07:00:16 +0000

From 3 to 6 September, SMM will once again be a hotspot for the maritime industry. In addition to the main topics of decarbonisation and digitalisation, this year's focus will increasingly be on maritime security.

Attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea, geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait, armed attacks by pirates in the Horn of Africa: the many critical security situations worldwide pose enormous challenges for the shipping industry. Martin Kröger, Managing Director of the German Shipowners' Association, rightly demands that the protection of ships and seafarers on the sea routes must be the top priority. Shipowners receive support from naval vessels that accompany them in dangerous areas. The EU-led Operation Aspides, for example, ensures greater safety in the Red Sea. Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical challenges, many countries are investing in their naval forces. The SMM trade fair in Hamburg offers the perfect platform for this: exhibitors present the latest security technologies here.

Hamburg is the world's leading maritime trade fair.
Economy at home, Photo: SMM/Michael Zapf

Submarines, frigates, minesweepers: naval vessels are complex high-tech systems that require enormous shipbuilding expertise. At SMM, the leading international companies present their state-of-the-art solutions - often those that have also proven themselves in civilian use. For example, low-noise engines are not only in demand for frigates and other naval vessels. Civilian shipping also relies on smart technologies. Lürssen uses them in the yacht sector, for example. The sister company NVL Group (Naval Vessels Lürssen) installs them in naval vessels. Other companies such as engine manufacturer MTU and navigation specialist Kongsberg also put their expertise at the service of customers in the civil and military shipping industry. The two segments are mutually beneficial when it comes to innovation. Once again, the fact that SMM covers the entire value chain of the industry proves its worth.

Classification societies such as DNV present their services in Hamburg, Photo: SMM/Kathrin Neuhauser

Decarbonisation and digitalisation

In total, SMM is expecting more than 2000 exhibitors from 70 countries from 3 to 6 September. Despite an additional lightweight construction hall, the trade fair is almost fully booked. The few remaining spaces available will be allocated on request. With more than 40,000 international participants - including decision-makers from shipping companies, shipbuilders and suppliers - SMM is the undisputed world's leading maritime trade fair. Also because it is constantly reinventing itself. SMM has developed two new formats to actively promote the two key topics of decarbonisation and digitalisation: Firstly, the Future Fuels Area, in which the potential applications of hydrogen and its derivatives in shipping are presented. Secondly, the AI Centre, where start-ups will showcase the pioneering solutions that artificial intelligence (AI) can offer the maritime industry. AI undoubtedly also harbours exciting potential applications for maritime shipping. The spectrum ranges from autonomous navigation technologies and automated target recognition systems to cyber security and predictive maintenance. Sensors and advanced analysis tools are used in the predictive maintenance of ships to continuously monitor the condition of machinery and equipment.

50,000 trade visitors meet committed exhibitors, photo: SMM/Kathrin Neuhauser

The popular networking format Wine o'clock also offers the perfect opportunity to socialise over drinks and snacks. Thinking outside the box is important for shipping companies and naval procurement managers so that they can meet the major technological challenges of fleet renewal and refurbishment in a customised, timely and cost-effective manner.

The high-calibre conference programme is also all about know-how transfer. A significant innovation is that the previously fee-based conferences will take place on the Transition Stages in the exhibition halls for the first time. The open stages offer all participants free access to high-calibre discussions and presentations. High-ranking delegations from navies and coast guards from all over the world are expected to attend the International Maritime Security and Defence Conference MS&D on 5 and 6 September.

The Dutch Damen shipyard is also important for the German Navy, photo: SMM/Kathrin Neuhauser

More efficiency through digitalisation, more climate protection through new propulsion technologies, more safety through smart high-tech solutions for the navy: At the world's leading trade fair for the maritime industry, we are jointly setting the course for the maritime transformation - be there!

Claus Ulrich Selbach is Head of the Maritime and Technology Fairs Division at Hamburg Messe und Congress.

Claus Ulrich Selbach

Der Beitrag Wegweisende Technologien für eine sichere Schifffahrt erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

Kieler Woche : "Sail Out"

MarineForum — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:35:13 +0000

Exclusive view of the parade from the "Rhine" tender

Flotilla Admiral Sascha Helge Rackwitz welcomes the guests on board the tender "Rhein", photo: hsc

The commander of Flotilla 1, Flotilla Admiral Sascha Rackwitz, had extended an exclusive invitation to watch the sailors set sail from aboard the tender "Rhein". And, as is tradition, many illustrious guests accepted the invitation on Saturday. With the best weather and excellent catering, the crew of the tender "Rhein" once again demonstrated their skills as an event platform during this Kieler Woche. The "Sail Out" has now become a fixed date in the maritime community, made possible by the German Maritime Institute (DMI), the German Naval Association (DMB) and the "Naval Section" of the German Armed Forces Association (DBBw). Always there with sparkling wine and chocolates: Bremer Ratskeller wine merchants https://ratskeller.de/.

Photos: hsc

Escort and guard: Federal Police Sea with BP 84 "Neustadt"

Escort and guard: Federal Police Sea with BP 84 "Neustadt", photo: hsc

Good mood among the guests, photo: hsc

Good atmosphere among the guests

Good mood among the guests, photo: hsc

Well attended, the "Gorch Fock" sails in the background

Well attended, in the background the "Gorch Fock" is leaving the harbour, photo: hsc

Great hosts: crew members of the "Rhine" tender

Great hosts: crew members of the tender "Rhein", photo: hsc

Flotilla Admiral Christian Bock with guests

Flotilla Admiral Christian Bock with guests, photo: hsc

Tall ship parade, Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service

Der Beitrag Kieler Woche : "Sail Out" erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

New framework guidelines for overall defence

MarineForum — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 12:30:00 +0000

For a long time, Minister Pistorius appeared to be a lone voice in the wilderness when he called in public for war readiness and higher defence spending. The rest of the government and large sections of politics did not seem to be interested. Now, however, there has been a cabinet decision that goes far beyond the scope of the Ministry of Defence. On 5 June, the Federal Government issued new overall defence framework guidelines. Minister Pistorius presented them to the press together with his colleague from the Ministry of the Interior, Nancy Faeser.

More important than the details of the content of this 57-page paper is how the document came about in the first place. For the first time in 35 years, those responsible in all federal ministries, in the federal states and in many other institutions had to come to terms with what their contribution to the defence of our country actually is. For many, this was completely unfamiliar and for some it was certainly an imposition. This is precisely why the work itself contributed at least as much to a common understanding as the published result.

By no means everything is new. The provisions of the Basic Law remain unchanged. Nevertheless, it is good to recall many things that once seemed self-evident. This includes legal foundations such as the so-called emergency laws and the powers of the federal government to issue directives to the federal states. Terms such as external emergency, civil defence and military national defence are recalled and dusted off. In this respect, the guidelines are a good basis for further work on the topic of overall defence.

It is undisputed that there is still a lot to do. If you look at the responsibilities at sea, for example, there is still a lot that needs to be regulated in a Maritime Safety Act. First of all, however, we should be pleased that the turnaround has mentally reached the entire federal government and beyond. Now it's time to keep the momentum going, to fulfil the guidelines with life and above all: practice, practice, practice!

Rear Admiral (ret.) Karsten Schneider

President DMI

Der Beitrag Neue Rahmenrichtlinien Gesamtverteidigung erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

Change at the top of the DEUTSCHE MARITIMEN INSTITUT e.V. (DMI)

MarineForum — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:30:00 +0000

At the DMI's general meeting on 19 April 2024 in Wilhelmshaven, the board was newly elected. Flotilla Admiral Christian Bock was replaced as Chairman by Flotilla Admiral Sascha Helge Rackwitz.

Christian Bock has led the DMI since 2018. During his six-year term of office, the website was redesigned on his initiative. cbmaritim.46181.onlineshophosting.de and went online on 01.01.2021. In a very short space of time cbmaritim.46181.onlineshophosting.de into a successful platform. The portal now achieves an enormous reach of up to 60,000 hits per month, and with three quarters of a million hits in 2023, the portal made a significant contribution to shaping maritime opinion in Germany. The users from business, politics and the navy are part of the large maritime network that Christian Bock has expanded. Flotilla Admiral Bock has made a valuable contribution to the further development of important dialogue formats, both in Berlin and on the coast. He brought people and institutions closer together and invested a great deal of personal energy and time in the process. Bringing the maritime aspects of German politics and Germany's maritime dependence closer to the political leaders and the German population was a matter close to his heart - and will continue to be, as he announced in his closing speech.

Flotilla Admiral Sascha Helge Rackwitz is the commander of Flotilla 1 in Kiel. He has taken on the role of Chairman with great pleasure and respect.

Der Beitrag Wechsel an der Spitze des DEUTSCHEN MARITIMEN INSTITUTS e.V. (DMI) erschien zuerst auf marineforum.

New "BREMER DIALOGUE" format

MarineForum — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:30:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

"BREMER DIALOGUE" MARITIME SECURITY AND MARINE 2035+: ON THE WAY TO "MULTI-DOMAIN OPERATIONS"

Impressions of the Bremen dialogue

At the invitation of the Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Maritime Institute Flotilla Admiral Christian Bock and the initiator and host Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH, the first Bremen dialogue takes place. The new format creatively promotes communication between maritime organisations, industry and the German Armed Forces with the aim of improving mutual understanding.

The aim was to discuss fields of action for integrated maritime security with a view to the NATO concept of multi-domain operations. The focus was on the question of what needs to be done to be able to win the battle in the maritime environment today and in the multidimensional future and to guarantee maritime security. More than 150 managers and experts from ministries, the German armed forces, authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS) as well as from industry, research and associations met to discuss this.

Impressions of the Bremen dialogue

In an agile workshop format, the participants exchanged views on the networked future in all design areas of multi-domain operations. The views of each dimension were presented in an overarching context from various operational and technological perspectives. For the first time, this agile format established the necessary interdisciplinary dialogue across all dimensions (maritime, land, air, cyber, space).

The "Marine 2035+ course" published by the Inspector of the Navy in 2023 provided a major impetus for the event. Multi-domain operations are a central design principle here. An equally important basis for the new dialogue format was the current challenges of protecting maritime critical infrastructure and the necessary capabilities for interaction between the various state and private stakeholders.

Impressions of the Bremen dialogue

The event was hosted by Flotilla Admiral Sascha Rackwitz, designated Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Maritime Institute. Dr Christian Martens, the designated new head of the Bremen-based Rheinmetall Business Unit Integrated Electronic Solutions, spoke as host.

The event was supported by the Bremen companies: Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Abeking & Rasmussen Schiffs- und Yachtwerft SE (A&R) and NVL B.V. & Co. KG.

Members of the following associations also took part: Bundesverband der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie e.V. (BDSV), Verband für Schiffbau und Meerestechnik (VSM) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik e. V. (DWT).

Background:

Rheinmetall is a leading international systems supplier to the defence industry and at the same time a driver of forward-looking technological and industrial innovations in the civilian markets. Rheinmetall offers a wide range of products specially developed for maritime applications that meet the new, constantly evolving challenges of current and future naval warfare and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. These include sensor and weapon systems as well as unmanned systems and their networking. This is complemented by protection systems and precision munitions, as well as networked simulation solutions for basic and operational training of crews and the testing of new technologies.

The German Maritime Institute (DMI) is a registered non-profit organisation based in Wilhelmshaven. It consists of an association of personal and supporting members. These are personalities from politics, science, business and the navy who are interested in maritime issues beyond their specialist tasks and would like to help shape them. The DMI also organises conference series such as the Maritime Colloquium Wilhelmshaven and the Maritime Convention in Berlin. The DMI organises and co-organises other conferences and publishes the specialist journal marine forum with the online portal cbmaritim.46181.onlineshophosting.de and other scientific publications.

As an organiser of maritime seminars, conferences and workshops, with which the DMI addresses politicians, the press and the public and informs them about interrelationships, it is a highly competent contact for media and media representatives in its field.

Former Rear Admiral Karsten Schneider is President of the DMI, and Flotilla Admiral Christian Bock is Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Impressions of the Bremen dialogue

Der Beitrag Neues Format „BREMER DIALOG“ erschien zuerst auf marineforum.