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Military Cooperation Between the German Army and the Royal Netherlands Army from a German Perspective

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Military Cooperation Between the German Army and the Royal Netherlands Army from a German Perspective MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GERMAN AND DUTCH ARMY Military cooperation between the German Army and the Royal Netherlands Army from a German perspective The Royal Netherlands Army is one of the highest-priority cooperation partners of the German Army. To demonstrate this, a ‘Declaration of Intent between the German and Dutch Ministers of Defence on the further Enhancement of the bilateral Relations in the field of Defence’ was signed on 28 may 2013. Respective Dutch and German leaders meet regularly and frequently, thinking and acting out of the box based on a very deep mutual trust and understanding in a very practical manner in order to achieve efficient and beneficial results for our respective armies. In this article, I will highlight some general principles with regard to the German view on multinational cooperation. I will also give a situational update on Project Griffin, a project that illustrates that German-Dutch cooperation is much more than pure symbolism. Lieutenant general Bruno Kasdorf, Chief of Staff DEU Army 2014 will be a special year for the Royal in order to achieve efficient and beneficial Netherlands Army (RNLA) because throughout results for our respective armies. Following that year the RNLA will commemorate its that idea we have already walked long distan- bicentennial. As Chief of Staff of the German ces on the path of cooperation and achieved Army I would like to congratulate our Dutch impressive progress. Last year Project Griffin comrades and I highly appreciate the oppor- was ready to take off. The ‘Declaration of Intent tunity to share my views on our cooperation. between the German and Dutch Ministers of As to our Dutch comrades, we speak of one of Defence on the further Enhancement of the the highest-priority cooperation partners of bilateral Relations in the field of Defence’ was the German Army. Still today we can learn a lot signed on 28 may 2013. After almost one and from each other. The unique character of the a half years of investigations we were ready cooperation between our two armies is well to start practical work. But as we all know, symbolized by the famous Griffin – and our ‘necessity is the mother of invention’: Project cooperation is much more than pure symbo- Griffin has not been completed yet, only the lism. The way we run that cooperation is a very first steps have been made and further ones pragmatic one: the respective leaders meet will follow. Prior to a situational update on regularly and frequently, thinking and acting Griffin I would like to highlight some general out of the box based on very deep mutual trust principles with regard to the German view and understanding in a very practical manner on multinational cooperation. JAARGANG 183 NUMMER 4 – 2014 MILITAIRE SPECTATOR 199 KASDORF German Perspective on and coordinated security policy that includes Multinationality and International political and diplomatic initiatives as well Cooperation as economic, development policy, police, humanitarian, social and military measures. Germany’s security is inextricably linked to With a view to force planning and against political developments in Europe and throug- the background of the existing scarcity of hout the world. Increased international resources (financial crisis in the Euro zone), integration in all areas is resulting in growing it is also imperative to achieve a multinational interdependence between states, which is balance between an efficient specialisation on increasingly affecting their respective security the one hand and the basic provision of core policies. Germany’s security objectives and military capabilities on the other. Consistent interests can only be pursued in cooperation steps towards integration such as Smart Defence with its partners. The United Nations, the as well as Pooling and Sharing are apt to rein- North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the force the European pillar of NATO and give European Union are the international frame- Europe its own independent capabilities. work of our security and defence policy. Today, safeguarding our interests is only ‘Panta rhei – everything flows’ is a quote possible in a whole-of-government approach. attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. We therefore need a national, comprehensive At that time he stated that our world is subject FOTO PICTURE ALLIANCE, M. GAMBARINI M. ALLIANCE, PICTURE FOTO Then German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere welcomes his Dutch collegue Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in Berlin in May 2013 for the signing of the Declaration of Intent 200 MILITAIRE SPECTATOR JAARGANG 183 NUMMER 4 – 2014 MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GERMAN AND DUTCH ARMY to continuous change. Although this basic (MN) corps and their assigned forces or with the principle has remained unchanged until today, French-German Brigade. the pace at which the changes occur has indeed The most visible pillar of military integration is changed in all walks of life. Moreover – unlike the contribution made to the headquarters of before – today’s processes of change often are the multinational corps within the NATO force of global dimension. Economic transformations structure. Germany participates in the follo- have rapid world-wide effects – as exemplified wing corps headquarters as a frame nation: by the global financial and economic crises that have been with us for several years now. l 1st German-Netherlands Corps (1 GNC) Social and ethnic tensions that occur in a l Eurocorps in Strasbourg (EC) certain area quickly become a security problem l Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin affecting the entire region. Media operating (MNC NE) on a global scale, close economic ties, long- distance journeys, but also modern means of communication such as the internet all contribute to the effect that the understanding of these changes and their ramifications With regard to our common spreads at a breathtaking pace around the Project Griffin, we are ready to take globe. In particular, free trade routes and an ensured supply of raw materials are of vital innovative and even bold steps importance to the future of Germany and Europe. In times of scarce budgetary resources, to make our two armies better close cooperation in this field is essential – in for future operations particular in Europe. For this reason, multinati- onal preventive security remains a fundamental principle of German security and defence policy. We want to serve the peace in the world In sum: with the ARMY2011 structure we are as a reliable partner in a strengthened Europe. looking at a capability profile meeting the Also in the future, the German Army will make national level of ambition in terms of width, an essential contribution to military perfor- depth, and international integration in such a mance and burden-sharing within Europe and way that extensions within the scope of smart NATO through multinational cooperation and defence and pooling and sharing, respectively, can integration, side by side with numerous be made without any problem – if this is the partners, with the Netherlands being one of the political will. closest. Our primary goal is to maintain capabilities in a combined manner in view of armed forces Bundeswehr deployments are always multinati- diminishing in size and tight budgets. The onal. Therefore, all Army units are rendered German Army is prepared to play an active role capable of integrating into multinational in Europe as a ‘docking’ partner (Framework structures through comprehensive training and Nation) and is already acting as such. education. As already in its basic organizational structure, our operational units are also firmly Cooperation with the RNLA – integrated into multinational structures and Project Griffin maintain manifold international relations. This applies to all key areas: from structure to Common beliefs are important but they must doctrine, training and exercises, through to also be filled with life. It is therefore important materiel provision. Already today, approxima- to me that the Netherlands and Germany tely 10 percent of the Army personnel are continue to use all opportunities available to serving in multinational structures – beyond intensify practical cooperation ensuring their deployments – for instance in the multinational capacity to act and ensuring their operational JAARGANG 183 NUMMER 4 – 2014 MILITAIRE SPECTATOR 201 KASDORF readiness – especially concerning ‘land ops’ and points of main effort quickly if required, as well synchronizing land force command and as to use air support to seize and retain the control. initiative on the ground. With regard to our common Project Griffin, we In the German ARMY2011 Structure, the Rapid are ready to take innovative and even bold Response Forces Division (Stadtallendorf), a steps to make our two armies better for future new-style division, will integrate the capabili- operations. From the German point of view, ties of air manoeuvre, crisis management for Griffin is the ‘lighthouse project’ in the field of German nationals abroad, special operations army cooperation. It starts at the German Army and Special Forces operations. Here, Army Headquarters, involves the 1st German-Nether- aviation forces, paratroopers, and special forces lands Corps (1 GNC) as the top priority MN HQ have been combined under one roof, with the and continues in the form of numerous purpose to make available complex air manoeu- initiatives which will knit our armies closer vre capabilities in a modular manner so that together. The following examples underline the the respective
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