The
German Navy is the navy of Germany and part of the unified
Bundeswehr, the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the
Bundesmarine from 1956 to 1995, when
Deutsche Marine became the official name with respect to the 1990 incorporation of the East German
Volksmarine. 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. It also participates in anti-piracy operations.