The German Navy is looking to expand its amphibious capabilities and intensify its maritime cooperation with the Netherlands. That is why the German fleet commander, Rear Admiral Thomas Jugel, paid a 2-day visit to the naval base in Den Helder and the amphibious centre of expertise on the island of Texel.
Accompanied by the Dutch Commodore Peter Lenselink, Rear Admiral Jugel examined and discussed all facets of amphibious operations. One of the locations for these discussions was the landing platform dock HNLMS Johan de Witt. The vessel hosted the two naval officers’ discussion on how cooperation between their two countries can be fleshed out.
By further developing and expanding its amphibious capabilities, Germany hopes to meet the capability requirements of the European Amphibious Initiative. This initiative enables close amphibious interoperability between European countries. With the firm intention of joining this initiative, Germany is exchanging views on the work-up programme for the fleet and marines and its application to existing German units.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 20, 2013; Image: Dutch MoD