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The image shows the front part of a grey navy vessel with seven men and one woman, all waving goodbye with their hats in their hands and waring navy blue uniform jackets, on deck. The boat is by the harbour, with other boats in the bacground. The flag og the German armed forces are behind them.
Foto: NTB

Research Project

Living up to expectations? German political ambitions and military role in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic

This project will contribute with knowledge and competence building about Germany’s evolving role as a military actor in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic

Themes

  • Defence
  • NATO
  • Cyber
  • Europe

The long-awaited German National Security Strategy from 2023 states that “The Federal Government will further expand its military presence in Allied territory for the protection of our NATO allies and will place this presence on a more permanent basis” (German Federal Government, 2023). This statement signals a clear intent to dedicate resources to deter and defend across Allied territory. 

This project zooms in on the maritime domain and answer the following questions: How has the German approach to deterrence and defence in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic developed since the announcement of the Zeitenwende in 2022? How can Norway and Germany enhance maritime cooperation bilaterally, and in a transatlantic multilateral context?

The project will contribute with knowledge and competence building about Germany’s evolving role as a military actor in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Project Manager

Øyvind Svendsen
Senior Research Fellow

Participants

Eskil Jakobsen
Adviser
Tobias Etzold
Senior Research Fellow

Articles

Articles
New research
Articles
New research

German-Norwegian Maritime Security Cooperation is strengthened

According to a new NUPI report, defence cooperation between Germany and Norway has progressed substantially since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But what does this mean for Norwegian and European security?
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • Intelligence
  • Regional integration
  • Europe
  • Conflict
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New publications

Publications
Publications
Report

The Maritime Zeitenwende: Germany in the Northern Waters

In this report the authors study recent developments in German maritime defence policy and practice with a particular view on German-Norwegian relations. These relations are crucial, as the current security landscape challenges old geographical domains, particularly a stark division between operations in the Baltic Sea and North Sea. These areas are now being re-defined in and through military activity and technological advancements to address the security situation – including the increasing importance of protecting critical infrastructure – which will further contribute to policy development in the short and longer term.

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Trade
  • Europe
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Trade
  • Europe