The largest German naval base in Wilhelmshaven is being expanded

To accommodate the expansion of the Bundeswehr, Germany's largest naval base in Wilhelmshaven is being expanded to cover the equivalent of almost 48 football fields. On the so-called northern expansion of the Heppenser Groden naval base, the state construction management of the state of Lower Saxony is currently building six new service and eleven accommodation buildings on behalf of the federal government.

“What is planned here has a construction volume of 250 million euros,” says Alexander Größ from the state construction management in the North-West region. The first buildings are expected to be handed over next year after around two years of construction.

Fleet in Wilhelmshaven is set to grow

“We as a Navy are very happy that the northern expansion is coming,” says Lars Hennig, barracks commander at the naval base command, during a tour of the construction site. “We absolutely depend on this expansion.”

The fleet of 15 large ships currently stationed in Wilhelmshaven is expected to grow to 20 ships. There is also basic training for soldiers at the location. More staff will also be needed for security. “This means the number of people who work here is growing.”

Since the federal government is not allowed to build for the Bundeswehr itself according to constitutional law, it commissions the construction authorities of the states to do so. In Lower Saxony, the state construction management is responsible.

How the soldiers will live

While the first service building is almost finished, the interior work on the second and third buildings is underway. The first accommodation buildings are also there. A total of 1,185 accommodation rooms will be created, each around 14 square meters in size. Every soldier gets their own room with their own bathroom. There are also tea kitchens, laundry rooms and common rooms on three floors each.

Wilhelmshaven is the largest location of the German Navy. In addition to the naval base, this also includes the naval arsenal and the Bundeswehr logistics center. According to the Bundeswehr, around 10,000 soldiers and civilian employees work at the site.

The base's infrastructure has been expanded in recent years to meet new requirements. During the so-called western expansion, among other things, service rooms, accommodation and training facilities were built.