German Navy (Deutsche Marine)

The German Navy (German: Deutsche Marine) is the navy of Germany and part of the unified Bundeswehr («Federal Defense»), the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the Bundesmarine («Federal Navy») from 1956 until 1995 when Deutsche Marine («German Navy») became the official name with respect to the 1990 incorporation of the East German Volksmarine («People's Navy»). It is deeply integrated into the NATO alliance. Its primary mission is protection of Germany's territorial waters and maritime infrastructure as well as sea lines of communication. Apart from this, the German Navy participates in peacekeeping operations, and renders humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. They also participate in Anti-Piracy operations.