The German Navy’s Show of Force: Warships in the South China Sea Demonstrate a Bold Stance Against Rising Tensions.

Two German naval vessels, including the frigate FGS Baden-Württemberg, are currently sailing through the South China Sea en route to the Philippines. The ships departed from Incheon, South Korea, on Tuesday and are expected to pass through the Taiwan Strait before arriving in Manila.

According to a spokesperson for the German Defense Ministry, the ships are scheduled to dock in Manila on September 16. While the ministry did not disclose the ships’ routes in advance for safety reasons, this navigation across the South China Sea marks a significant event.

It is the first time German warships have traversed these waters since the destroyer Bayern’s deployment in the region from August 2021 to February 2022. Notably, during that mission, the Bayern sailed from South Korea to Singapore but avoided the Taiwan Strait due to its sensitive nature.

A Historic Passage

Should the German warships pass through the Taiwan Strait this time, it will be a rare occurrence. It has been 22 years since German military vessels last transited through these waters. China claims sovereignty over the islands and considers the 177-kilometer-wide strait separating them from the mainland as its territorial waters.

However, many countries, including the United States and Canada, assert their right to freedom of navigation by sending their warships through the strait. These actions are in accordance with international law, which considers the Taiwan Strait international waters.

This German naval exercise is part of the Indo-Pacific Deployment (IPD) 2024, a series of multinational naval drills and operations that commenced in May and will continue until December. Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the German Navy considers IPD its most important security operation this year.

Daniel Kochis, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia, emphasized the significance of this transit, stating that it showcases Germany’s commitment to defending freedom of navigation in the region.

Germany’s Growing Role in Indo-Pacific Security

Germany has been actively increasing its security presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This heightened involvement follows the NATO summit in Washington in July, where NATO countries and their Indo-Pacific partners agreed to strengthen cooperation.

As a result, Germany recently participated in joint aerial drills with the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force near Chitose Air Base on Japan’s main island of Hokkaido. This collaboration demonstrates Germany’s dedication to contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Tarah Nguyen
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