Bundeswehr is cooperating closely with the Netherlands

0
307

Army

Bundeswehr is cooperating closely with the Netherlands

The European Verteidigungsunion, of the for decades is spoken, has so far been a damp squib. Now you get the idea of the new thrust: a German-Dutch agreement on joint operations.

“A perfect example”: Bundesverteidigungsministerin Ursula von der Leyen (left) with her Dutch colleague

Germany and the Netherlands to build their two decades ago, started military cooperation. Both governments agreed in Amsterdam, cooperation in the field of Marine and land forces to deepen. Bundesverteidigungsministerin Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a “paradigm for the construction of a European Verteidigungsunion”.

Together with their Dutch colleague Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, signed von der Leyen, a Memorandum of understanding, to the German Seebataillon until 2018 gradually in the Dutch Navy to integrate. In the battalion are Minentaucher, reconnaissance and commando units are summarized, for example, even civilian ships against pirate attacks protect. The approximately 800 soldiers to stay in Schleswig-Holstein stationed, but in the future, together with their Dutch colleagues to be trained and to practice.

The editorial recommends

The military Commissioner of the Bundestag in his annual report 2015 the deficits of the German army ruthlessly named. Even more reduction do not go, this is the conclusion of Hans-Peter Bartels. (26.01.2016)

The defense Minister informed about the German contribution in the Anti-IS-fight. Whether the Turkish Offensive in the Kurdengebieten comes to the language, is open. Serious accusations does Amnesty International. (21.01.2016)

The main partner in sea transportation

The German armed forces wants, in return, the state of the art, 205-metre-long supply vessel “Karel Doorman”, the Dutchman may utilize, on which the agreement was signed. This can, for example, Leopard 2 battle tank transport. Thus, the Netherlands is a lead partner in sea transportation of the army over long distances.

In addition, the explanation of a closer integration on the ground. So is the Dutch 43. Mechanized Brigade with 3000 soldiers of the German 1. Armored division assumed. In return, a German tank battalion is part of the Dutch Brigade.

EU-combat troops without combat experience

Von der Leyen spoke of an “extraordinary depth of the partnership with the Netherlands” in the military. They began two decades ago with the establishment of the 1. German-Dutch corps, whose headquarters in Münster, Germany sits. 2014 was then the Dutch 11. Luftbewegliche Brigade into the German Division Fast forces (DSK) integrated. All operations, but must continue until the respective national Bodies agree. In Germany it is usually the Bundestag.

Whether the Dutch-German partnership is actually a model for a European Verteidigungsunion may be, is of course open. Plans for an EU army in the true sense since the decades ahead. Although there are since 2005, so-called EU battle groups from multiple countries – in a hotspot they were used but never.

jj/kle (dpa, afp)