"The situation in the Baltic is under control"
Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaak, the new inspector of the German Navy, answered FAZ's questions about the Russian "threat" in the Baltic and the combat capability of German ships.
FAZ: Mr. Vice Admiral, after the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, the command of the German Navy brought more than a dozen ships to the Baltic Sea. Other Baltic countries have also increased their presence in the Baltic. These actions have a certain symbolic power. But where and why were these ships brought out?
Jan Christian Kaak (Jan Christian Kaak):First, about the general state of things. The situation in the Baltic is under control. We quickly demonstrated that we are able to withdraw forces into the adjacent space. We showed that we are on the alert here, it was a clear signal to Russia. In addition, we have convinced our Western allies that one for all, and all for one. We have coordinated our actions with our NATO partners, as well as with Finland and Sweden. We sent minesweepers to the Tallinn area. The Saxony air defense frigate was stationed in the center of the Baltic Sea. It is able to track the movement of aircraft over long distances. Currently, an international mine defense unit is conducting maneuvers there. Our goal is to show in the Baltic that we are here.
– How did the Russian side react?
– The armed forces can quickly send signals that the other side will see. Of course, we were noticed. We observe normal behavior on the Russian side, that is, everything happens as usual. Normal training work is being carried out there, their ships are approaching ours at the distance stipulated by the rules. In this region, we are constantly in contact with each other – one way or another.
– So you haven't noticed any signs on the Russian side that the conflict is expanding?
— no. On the contrary, we rather see signs that the other side is trying to limit the conflict. This, of course, was also facilitated by the fact that we – NATO and the German Navy – very quickly showed that we are here.
– However, you yourself, or so it was reported, spoke about the real danger of mining the Baltic Sea...
– I was talking abstractly about possible dangers. These include mines and, of course, ships. Mines are a means to change geography both for the enemy and for ourselves. In the Baltic, we, the coastal states, know each other well, so we managed not to overheat the situation. So everyone adheres to some invisible line that we don't cross. But if, for example, a British aircraft carrier suddenly appeared in the Baltic, then this would be the wrong signal.
– What role can the German Navy play in this region in general? They are small, although after the Russian ones they are the most numerous in the Baltic.
– Yes, our fleet in the Baltic is small. Other countries look at us with some expectation, they are willing to cooperate with us and see us as a reliable partner. But we need to treat this role responsibly. I cooperate on an equal footing with other inspectors of the Baltic Navy, regardless of their size. Thanks to this, we understand each other well.
– But can the current level of the German Navy's presence in the Baltic be maintained? The combat readiness of frigates and corvettes has not been at a very high level lately.
– Now we have 40% of the entire fleet at sea every day. It was a clear signal, but we won't last like this for a long time. Therefore, we have started to develop an operational concept for the Baltic called Baltic Guard, in which other countries are also involved. We can ensure that NATO surface ships are present wherever necessary.
– Shouldn't Germany stop participating in other actions, for example, on the Mediterranean Sea?
– It should be decided by politicians. But, for example, we stopped the corvette Erfurt, heading to the Mediterranean Sea, at Borkum and sent it to the Norwegian Sea, where it will become part of the permanent NATO unit number 1. Therefore, now we have a temporary gap in the Mediterranean Sea within the framework of UNIFIL.
– The Bundeswehr is currently being discussed in Berlin. What ideas does the Navy have when it comes to a package of 100 billion euros? What is important?
– Firstly, it is important to increase the combat readiness of the modern fleet. It will be about ammunition, spare parts and means of communication. I also said this to our Defense Minister. For us, every trip to the sea is associated with risk, because anything can happen at sea. Secondly, there is a certain gap between NATO's planned installations and what we actually have. We mean several frigates and corvettes, which we need additionally. I am cautiously optimistic that with improved funding, we will achieve some things ahead of schedule. First of all, we are experiencing a lack of repair capacity, especially in the field of planning. If you see that the Ludwigshafen am Rhein corvette is rusting at the pier in Warnemunde from December 2020 to the end of March 2022, waiting for free time to repair it at the shipyard, then this is bad. And this happens in a situation where there are shipyards almost nearby that are in dire need of orders. There are also problems in the federal lands during the construction of infrastructure. Military divers have been waiting for the commissioning of a new training pool since 2008. This is an intolerable situation.
– For several years now, the Navy has been waiting for the Baden-Württemberg-class frigates to be brought into full combat readiness. When, finally, can the first ship of this class be commissioned?
– This will probably happen in the middle or end of 2023. Of course, it's too late, we have already prepared crews for these ships for a long time, who can't wait to begin service.
– Won't these frigates, the cost of each of which is more than 900 million euros and which are designed for long-term operations to stabilize the situation in distant regions of the world, be too expensive and unnecessary investment?
– These frigates are designed for long-term operations in remote regions of the world ocean, and our Navy will continue to be involved in international crisis operations in the future. These frigates can also be used as command ships or for presence, for example, in the Indian Ocean. But you have to live with what you have. If necessary, we will have to expand the capabilities of these ships, for example, their ability to fight submarines.
– Is there an increased interest in serving in the Navy now – in connection with the conflict in Ukraine? Has the influx of those wishing to serve in the Navy increased?
– I receive a huge number of letters and emails in support of our work. During the pandemic, of course, we had restrictions, but after February 24, we have seen a clearly increased interest in serving in the Navy, and indeed in the armed forces. Today, our officers who work with young people are very often asked to come to schools and tell them about their service in the army. This also applies to schools where it was difficult to imagine such a thing until quite recently.
– Before you, still a young officer, took command of the frigate "Bavaria", you took a leave of absence for several months to care for a child. Did this happen infrequently in the Navy then, or is it not so?
– Yes, when I did that, it was completely unusual. Then many people teased me, and I had to endure a lot. But it was important to me. When you go to sea for a long time, it's stressful work. It's the same with a child – you always have to be alert and act quickly. I took a parental leave and it was a wonderful experience for me. Today, this is quite common in the navy, although I must say that mothers, not fathers, take such a vacation more often.
– Your predecessor had the motto "Tradition, rigor, struggle". What is your motto?
– I don't have a motto. But according to my ideas, I should lead the Navy in such a way that they are combat-ready and combat-ready. To do this, it is necessary to double-check everything in our organization and find out whether our structure is optimal. I have always been happy to do a certain task well and get good results. Now I am glad that together with a lot of amazing people I can work on the development of our naval forces.
Interview author: Peter Carstens
