German warship heads for South China Sea as it deploys on six-month Indo-Pacific mission

The Bayern will sail to Singapore, South Korea and Australia during the mission to strengthen Germany’s presence in the region

Crucially, the frigate will pass through the contested South China Sea in December, but is expected to stick to common trade routes

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Crew members of the Bayern wave as the frigate sets sail on an exercise voyage lasting about six months in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Photo: DPA

Published: 12:00am, 3 Aug 2021Updated: 2:13am, 3 Aug 2021

Germany dispatched a frigate to the Indo-Pacific region on Monday for the first time in almost 20 years, in a move that could put strain on Berlin’s delicate relationship with Beijing.

The “Bayern” sailed from Wilhelmshaven harbour with more than 200 soldiers on board for a six-month mission to strengthen Germany’s presence in the region that will take it to Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

Crucially, in December it will also pass through the South China Sea, a flashpoint of tensions between China, its neighbours in the region and their Western allies such as the United States.

“The message is clear: we are standing up for our values and interests together with our partners and allies,” said Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer ahead of the ship’s departure.

“For our partners in the Indo-Pacific, it is a reality that sea routes are no longer open and secure, and that claims to territory are being applied by the law of might is right,” she added.

Yet Kramp-Karrenbauer insisted the mission was not directed against any particular country, and noted that Germany had offered to visit a Chinese harbour “in order to maintain dialogue”.

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