Berlin — Germany to build a new naval base in the northwest of the country

Germany plans to build a new naval base in the city of Emden, in the northwest of the country, amid the worsening international security situation, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday, as ATSH-AA reports from Berlin.

“This is important for us, because it will be a large naval base,” Pistorius said during a ceremony in Emden, where senior officials signed a letter of intent for the base.

“From here we can quickly reach the North Atlantic and the North Sea. The strategic location is also decisive, especially in relation to our NATO allies, our joint training and operations areas, and joint training activities,” he added.

The new base will be Germany’s fifth main naval base and is expected to ease the load on the Wilhelmshaven base, which is currently the navy’s most important point on the North Sea.

Sources from the Ministry of Defence said Wilhelmshaven will remain central, while the Emden base will complement it.

Pistorius said Germany has decided to expand its navy in response to growing international threats and the worsening security situation, and to meet its commitments to NATO deterrence.

“We currently have the smallest navy in the history of the Bundeswehr and at the same time the largest and broadest set of tasks. That is why the navy must grow and will grow,” he said.

“Given the current international security situation, especially in relation to the Baltic Sea, but above all the North Sea and the North Atlantic, this is of decisive importance, because through it we increase the deterrence of Germany and NATO,” he said.

The planned naval base is expected to be an investment worth several billion euros, according to media reports. It is expected to reach full operational readiness in 2030, and up to 2,000 military and civilian personnel could eventually be stationed at this location.