Germany to build new naval base for billions of euros
Germany plans to build a new naval base in the city of Emden on the North Sea coast. The base, which will cost several billion euros, is expected to be commissioned in the early 2030s. In the future, up to 2,000 military positions could be created there.
Germany will spend billions of euros to build a new naval base
On October 5, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Lower Saxony's Minister-President Olaf Lies signed a declaration of intent in Emden to build a naval base. The new base will become the country's fleet's second stronghold on the North Sea coast.
Pistorius announced that Emden would once again become a German Navy base. He said that although the current fleet is the smallest in the history of the Bundeswehr, the scope of its tasks is larger than ever.
"Therefore, the navy must expand, and it will expand," the minister said.
The choice of Emden is explained by its strategic location and the availability of sufficient vacant space for construction. Within the framework of the project, it is planned to increase the number of berths for ships, extend the length of piers, and expand the number of military personnel.
Currently, Germany has only one naval base on the North Sea coast — the Heppenser Groden naval base in Wilhelmshaven. According to Pistorius, the emergence of a second base will increase the fleet's mobility and adaptability to various situations.
The minister emphasized that in the event of a serious crisis, the actions of the German fleet would become more difficult to predict, while its operational capabilities would expand.
According to Tagesschau, the new port is expected to provide seven berths for frigates, ten for minehunters and minesweepers, and another ten for tugboats. The base will play an important role in the new strategy of the German Navy.
According to expert estimates cited by the publication, one of Emden's geographical advantages is that the city is located outside the range of Russia's medium-range missiles.