Apparently there have been several sabotage attacks on German naval shipyards. At Blohm+Voss, the new corvette “Emden” is said to have been affected.
According to Vice Admiral Jan-Christian Kaack, head of the navy, saboteurs have deliberately tried to damage warships and infiltrate naval bases. “The growing threat from Russia is more urgent at the beginning of 2025 than it was two years ago,” warns Kaack at the “Navy Talks” in Berlin.
Saboteurs have caused targeted damage in more than one case. There was “destruction, i.e. sabotage, on more than one unit”, said the naval inspector. Appropriate measures had been taken in the shipyards.
The TV stations WDR and NDR, along with the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, reported that during an inspection at the Blohm+Voss shipyard, which belongs to Lürssen, it was discovered in January that several kilograms of metal shavings had been dumped into the propulsion system of the almost completed corvette Emden. According to the report, this would have caused considerable damage if left undetected. However, there has been no official confirmation of this from either the navy or the shipyard.”
According to Kaack, in addition to attempts to sabotage ships, there have also been attempts to infiltrate bases and “attempts to make contact” with individual soldiers. “We may be creating the basis for later active military activities,” said the Vice Admiral.
The navy had already strengthened its protective measures since 2022. These include an increased readiness of mine countermeasures forces in the Baltic Sea and the deployment of security companies at the locations.
In his own words, Kaack has initiated a strategic expansion of the existing plans (“Marine 2035+ course”). “We have no time to lose. We have a lot to do.”
