Epilogue: The German Navy, Maritime Security and Zeitenwende

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022 hit Germany like a shock—and in response, the Chief of the Navy ordered every sea- and airworthy asset of his navy to deploy to the North and Baltic Sea. While 28 vessels, roughly half the fleet, demonstrated resolve towards allies and rivals, this came at a time when the navy had long-since begun to show the strain of years of the peace-dividend and a focus on low-intensity deployments abroad. Lacking ammunition, spareparts and sufficient levels of personnel, it was a tremendous effort of the navy to be able to respond to its commanding Admiral’s order in these numbers.