On September 18 type 212A U-31 submarine escorted by FGS Oste warship of the German Navy will conduct a friendly visit to the Port of Klaipėda. The ships will be met by LNS Dzūkas (P12) patrol ship of the Lithuanian Navy. Both vessels will be moored till September 21.
“The visit of the German U31 submarine to the Port of Klaipėda is a demonstration of the firm bond between Lithuanian and German navies and the staunch unity and solidarity of allies, and it contributes to the NATO deterrence in the region, not on land only but also at sea,” Vice Minister Vytautas Umbrasas says ahead of welcoming the German Navy ships in Lithuania on Thursday.
Vice Minister V. Umbrasas underscores that Germany is an active and trustworthy ally of Lithuania that not only leads the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania but also takes part in international missions and operations together.
During the visit to Klaipėda the submarine leadership and an accompanying delegation will pay a courtesy call on the Mayor of Klaipėda, Lithuanian Navy leadership, and other formal events will take place. The German warships’ crews and Lithuanian Navy military personnel will exchange visits to each other’s’ vessels.
Last visit conducted by a German submarine to Klaipėda took place 18 years ago — U-16 and U-26 submarines visited the Port of Klaipėda on 27 April 2001.
For the Media
The ships are planned to enter the port through the port entrance channel on September 18 at around 1500-1530 hrs. A short media opportunity will be provided at around 1600 hrs at the Warship and Cruise Ship Terminal with Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas, Defence Attaché of Germany to Lithuania Lt Col Thorsten Fries and leadership of the U-31 submarine of the German Navy.
No media opportunity aboard the warships is planned.
POC – Lt Cdr Ramūnas Kažerskas, 00370 69 818 196.
Related image from the Lithuanian Navy archive – type 212A German Navy submarine at international Exercise BALTOPS 2017 and LNS Aukštaitis (P14) patrol ship to its right.
