Show flag in the Indo-Pacific
Pistorius visits military exercise RIMPAC
30.07.2024, 10:10 a.m.
This year, the German army is more involved in the RIMPAC military exercise in the sea areas around Hawaii than before. Defense Minister Pistorius is on site to get an idea of the exercises. Meetings with partners in the region are also planned. Germany wants to demonstrate its commitment in this way.
Germany is increasing its participation in military training in the Indo-Pacific. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius embarked on a trip lasting several days to visit exercises with German participation and to meet political partners in the region, which is important for security and economics. The first stop was the US state of Hawaii. The military exercise RIMPAC is taking place in the sea areas around the island chain and also on land, in which the Bundeswehr is participating more than in previous years; among them are 450 men and women from the German Navy.
RIMPAC takes place every two years under the leadership of the USA. This year, 29 nations – including France and Great Britain – and around 40 ships, planes and helicopters are taking part. The Air Force is also providing fighter jets and transport aircraft for a whole series of military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
The projects follow the federal government’s political guidelines for the region and are intended to support political partners with shared values. Smaller nations in the region feel threatened by the dominant superpower China. In previous years, the main personnel provided were liaison officers in the staffs or mine divers from the sea battalion in Eckernförde, said Rear Admiral Axel Schulz. “This year, however, we are visibly represented for the first time with a naval unit consisting of the frigate Baden-Württemberg and the task force supply ship Frankfurt am Main with a helicopter contingent on board,” said Schulz, who heads the German naval unit.
Demonstrate freedom of sea and trade routes
“It’s about flying the flag and demonstrating on the ground that Germany is on the side of its international partners and friends, especially our largest and most important ally, the USA, for freedom of sea routes and compliance with international law in the region,” said Schulz. The mission is multi-part. As an instrument of defense diplomacy, the presence should demonstrate to friends in the region that Germany is committed to a rules-based international order and freedom of sea and trade routes. At the same time, the exercises will increase the country’s own operational capability, Schulz continued. “Above all, however, we are showing that, despite the tense situation in Europe, we are not losing sight of our friends in the Pacific.”
In 2020, the Federal Cabinet adopted guidelines on Germany’s policy in the Indo-Pacific region. “The region will become key to shaping the international order in the 21st century,” it states. The paper identifies the central importance of the region for the global and German economy and describes dangers.
Is the German Navy crossing the Taiwan Strait? – China warns
“In addition to increasing geopolitical tensions and open power rivalries, there are numerous disputed borders, simmering internal and cross-border conflicts with significant refugee movements, and networks of regional and international terrorism that can have a negative impact on global stability and our interests in the region,” it says. Cooperation with value-based partners among the states is to be expanded. The further course of the German ships is also awaited with interest, whether they will sail through the Taiwan Strait – the sea area between Taiwan and China. From August 2021 to February 2022, the frigate “Bayern” was on a similar mission. However, the warship did not cross the Taiwan Strait.
In May, Pistorius said that a decision should be made in good time as to whether the Taiwan Strait would be crossed this time. “Given the fact that there are several allied and allied forces that are sailing through there, that is of course an option,” said Pistorius. China warned against crossing the Taiwan Strait. China has always respected the right to freedom of navigation, but firmly rejects any country provoking and threatening China’s sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian in Beijing. It is hoped that countries outside the Asia-Pacific region will not cause trouble for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.