Germany to Build New Naval Base in Emden

Germany will build a new naval base in the city of Emden on the North Sea coast.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the decision on October 5.

The new base will be Germany’s second North Sea naval base, after Wilhelmshaven.

Emden was chosen for its strategic location and the availability of the necessary space.

The German Navy plans to build seven berths for frigates, ten for minehunters, and another ten for tugboats.

The new base is expected to create up to 2,000 military and civilian positions.

According to the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, the base is expected to become operational in the early 2030s.

Pistorius said the new base is needed because the German Navy is expanding and the security situation is changing. According to him, Germany needs to strengthen its naval forces to carry out missions to protect the country and its allies.

Particular attention is being paid to the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the North Atlantic.

The new base is also expected to strengthen the German Navy’s resilience. Emden’s location provides an additional advantage, as the base could complement the main naval base in Wilhelmshaven and serve as an alternative base of operations in a crisis.

The German Navy has not had a permanent presence in Emden for nearly 30 years. Pistorius said that the navy will now return to the city as part of plans for its further expansion.

Militarnyi previously reported that Germany’s Ministry of Defense and the city of Kiel had agreed to return the site of the former MFG 5 naval air base to military use. The areas in question are located in the Holtenau-Ost and Wik districts.