Germany plans to deploy two warships in Indo-Pacific in 2024

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Jun 2023 20:14

This comes in light of increased NATO activity in the region since the US labeled China a security challenge a year ago.

Germany's Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, speaks to the media on the sidelines of the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 3, 2023. (Reuters)

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Sunday that in 2024, Germany will be sending two warships to the Indo-Pacific.

The reason is the necessity to safeguard the so-called "rules-based international order," he said.

This comes in light of increased NATO activity in the region since the US labeled China a security challenge a year ago.

"The German Federal Government sent a frigate to the Indo-Pacific in 2021, and will again, in 2024, deploy maritime assets — this time a frigate and a supply ship — to the region," Pistorius said in Singapore while emphasizing that the deployment of the ships is not intended to target any nation and is solely meant to protect sea lines of communication.

The 2021 deployment was in response to tensions on the Korean peninsula, he noted.

"These deployments — I want to make this very clear — are not directed against any nation," he said, adding that Berlin is committed to safeguard peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and plans to strengthen its influence and alliances in the region in the years to follow.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Saturday said he told China's National Defense Minister Li Shangfu that he expects Beijing to cease hiring former Luftwaffe pilots to train their own air force.

The reason, although not mentioned in the minister's comments, is owed to the fact that some of these pilots might disclose to Chinese authorities classified information and confidential operational tactics, as per a report by Der Spiegel detailed on Friday.

"I raised the question of Germany air force pilots who have apparently been recruited to train (Chinese) pilots," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters about his meeting with Li on the margins of a defense and security conference in Singapore on Saturday.

"I indicated clearly that I expected this practice to cease immediately and told him he probably wouldn't be very pleased either if I tried to do the same thing," Pistorius added.

Li "didn't deny it but downplayed its importance", he continued, as per a ministry readout of his comments to the press.

According to the Der Spiegel report, some of the pilots are also former NATO pilots who were employed by China to train Chinese army pilots.

They are reportedly receiving wages via shell companies located in Seychelles, sources said.

The matter has been of particular relevance for the parliamentary committee overseeing the German secret services.

"We are worried that military personnel who have previously worked for the German state could be in jobs that could lead them to betray state secrets," the head of the parliamentary committee told ZDF.

Some of the pilots who were hired by China flew Eurofighter fighter jets and took part in NATO drills.

"China is attempting, via external agencies, to recruit former NATO pilots ... former German Bundeswehr pilots ... A significant danger that not just basic flight proficiency will be imparted, but that relevant tactics, techniques, and procedures will be manifested," the German ministry said yesterday, as quoted by Der Spiegel.