Restructuring of the Marine Corps:

As the first quarter of the twenty-first century concludes, the international geopolitical environment has become increasingly intricate. Regional disputes, hybrid threats, and the rapid advance of technology present unprecedented challenges to armed forces. The conflict in Ukraine, ongoing tensions in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, as well as the rise of armed non-state actors, exemplify a volatile and unpredictable security landscape. These developments necessitate far-reaching structural, doctrinal, and technological reforms within the Marine Corps of both Brazil and Germany, ensu ring their continued strategic relevance and operational effectiveness.

Such restructuring is not occurring in isolation. It represents a coordinated response to evolving threats, deeper integration with alliances such as NATO (in Germany’s case), the strengthening of resilience, and the adoption of innovations including artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems. Central to this transformation is the management of knowledge, which enables the systematic assimilation of lessons learned, ongoing doctrinal refinement, and the dissemination of best organisational practices. This approach also ensures alignment between technological innovation, organisational adaptation, and the strategic planning of naval forces and their amphibious contingents— essential instruments for power projection, the defence of sovereignty, and the safeguarding of national interests.

This article provides a comparative analysis of the restructuring processes under-taken by the Brazilian Marine Corps and the German Naval Infantry, highlighting areas of convergence, distinctive features, and emerging trends, with particular emphasis on technological integration, organisational resilience, and strategic alignment.

Modernization of the German Naval Infantry:
Response to New Geopolitical Demands

Geopolitical and Doctrinal Context

Germany, positioned within a European strategic landscape increasingly shaped by the escalation of Russian threats—particularly following the invasion of Ukraine—has embarked upon a comprehensive reassessment of its defence posture. The Baltic Sea, North Sea, and North Atlantic have emerged as theatres of strategic contest, where the presence of Russian submarines, the menace of hypersonic missiles, and hybrid activities such as sabotage and espionage demand swift and coordinated responses. This has led to the revision of NATO’s regional strategies, requiring heightened readiness, interoperability, and deterrence capabilities from all member states, Germany included.

Consequently, from 2023 onwards, three pivotal strategic documents have been issued to steer the preparation and operational deployment of the German Armed Forces, with particular focus on the Navy and its amphibious elements. At the governmental level, the “Operations Plan for Germany” addresses the deteriorating security climate in Europe and underscores the necessity of robust civil-military cooperation to safeguard Germany and the eastern and northern flanks of the continent. The German Navy has published the “German Navy Objectives for 2035 and Beyond” and “The German Navy Navigation Plan”, both of which, given the imperative for operational readiness, set out the requirements for the Navy and Naval Infantry to deliver credible combat power and deter emerging threats. These documents emphasise multidomain operations, advanced personnel training, acquisition and modernisation initiatives, and the integration of AI and autonomous systems.

As part of the Deutsche Marine, the German Naval Infantry is undergoing a transformation to move beyond its traditionally defensive and reactive stance, embracing a more offensive and expeditionary approach. The objective is to ensure operational capability in contested littoral zones, the protection of critical infrastructure, and a meaningful contribution to the collective defence of the Atlantic Alliance. This includes closer integration with naval forces, engagement of maritime targets from land, countering hybrid threats, and the deployment of assault craft for operations against coasts, islands, and ports.   

Structure, Activities, and Innovations

The restructuring of the German Naval Infantry encompasses the reorganisation of its units, the modernisation of equipment, and the adoption of new operational doctrines, with a particular emphasis on coastal defence. Activities span base and arsenal protection, amphibious operations, coastal patrols, and participation in multinational task forces. Strategic planning highlights the necessity for rapidly deployable forces capable of securing and holding key positions, even under the demanding climatic conditions of the Baltic and Arctic regions.

At present, the German Marines are concentrated within the Seebataillon, comprising eight companies: Maritime Operations (two), Training (two), Diving and Countermining, Protection, Reconnaissance, and Support. The ongoing transformation will further reinforce this unit’s pivotal role in amphibious and protection missions, including the utilisation of remotely piloted aircraft. Plans are also in place to establish a land-based coastal defence component, capable of engaging naval surface targets at extended ranges.

Technological innovation is at the heart of these reforms. The German Navy has invested in the integration of autonomous systems, aerial, maritime, and submarine drones, as well as process automation and the extensive application of AI for situational analysis and command and control. The intention is to embed the Naval Infantry within the Navy’s digital combat network, enabling joint operations with unmanned systems.

Logistics, Personnel, and Strategic Alignment

Logistical frameworks are being adapted to ensure flexibility and sustainability in extended operations, including the pre-positioning of materiel in allied territories and enhanced multinational cooperation. The “one-third factor” (one third fully ready, one third in graduated readiness, one third in maintenance) is designed to maximise operational efficiency. Sufficient financial resources are essential to acquire the necessary assets in the quantities and timeframes stipulated by strategic directives. Standardisation of equipment facilitates maintenance and improves both availability and personnel training.

Human resources remain a priority, with a focus on comprehensive training and retention programmes, and the expansion of personnel, particularly in technological fields and the Naval Infantry, to support high-intensity operations. Strategic alignment is evident in Germany’s commitment to NATO’s mission, participation in joint exercises, and the sharing of information. Protection against hybrid threats is further strengthened through interagency cooperation and the enhancement of cybersecurity, supported by the establishment of legal frameworks for information exchange and improved situational awareness.

Restructuring of the Brazilian Marine Corps: Innovations, Challenges, and Perspectives

National Defence Strategy and Transformation Vectors

In Brazil, the ongoing restructuring of the Marine Corps (CFN) is intrinsically linked to the National Defence Strategy, released in 2024, which places emphasis on readiness, adaptability, and expeditionary capability. With its extensive coastline and vast network of rivers, Brazil faces distinctive challenges, including the defence of the “Blue Amazon”, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and the capacity for swift response to humanitarian and environmental emergencies. This transformation, presently underway, has been prompted by a range of internal and external factors, notably technological innovation, the development of human resources, automation and AI, the strengthening of strategic communications, and international cooperation. The IV Marine Corps Symposium, convened in Rio de Janeiro in 2023, played a pivotal role in assimilating global trends and adapting best practices, particularly in relation to personnel, doctrine, and materiel.

Restructuring and Operational Axes

The restructuring, initiated in 2024, is structured around four principal axes: amphibious, riverine, littoral, and protection. Within the amphibious domain, owing to its longstanding prominence over the past 70 years, no significant organisational or doctrinal changes have been identified. Nevertheless, the recent acquisition of HMS Bulwark (to be commissioned as Multipurpose Dock Ship Oiapoque in the Brazilian Navy) marks a substantial enhancement in amphibious capability, facilitating the deployment of helicopters, landing craft, and armoured vehicles, as well as joint operations with littoral craft and amphibious tracked vehicles.

The presence of 12 river basins and 42,000 km of navigable waterways underscores the strategic importance of the riverine environment for both the economy and national defence, necessitating specialised techniques, tactics, and procedures, alongside dedicated troops. The establishment of the Riverine Division Command will enable effective coordination of reinforcements for Riverine Operations Battalions in the Amazon and Pantanal regions.

In relation to littoral operations, the prevailing global and regional geopolitical context, combined with Brazil’s unique geography, has necessitated a comprehensive transformation. This has resulted in the activation of the Littoral Division Command, five Littoral Operations Battalions, the Littoral Anti-Ship Missile Battery (utilising domestic technology), the procurement of Littoral Landing Craft, and the formation of Littoral Protection and Security Groups. These initiatives are designed to exert influence over the Maritime Theatre of Operations from land, enhance integration with naval assets during patrol and inspection, and reinforce the Defence Industrial Base.

The protection axis, which holds additional strategic significance due to the Navy’s leadership in the nuclear sector and its responsibility for the security of the Brazilian Nuclear Programme and other critical infrastructure, has led to the creation of a robust Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, and Radiological (NBQR) protection and defence system, comprising three NBQR Battalions and a dedicated NBQR Command to coordinate and integrate traditional protection activities. The Immediate Response Force to Environmental Disasters (FRIDA), established in 2025, makes a direct contribution to the national Civil Defence System, aiming to deliver rapid responses to public emergencies through specialised teams and resources for emergency, prevention, and socio-environmental recovery operations.

A robust doctrinal development process is essential to underpin these changes. The Command for Training and Doctrinal Development (CTDDCFN) has been expanded to update concepts, integrate teaching and training with a focus on competencies and educational technology, and systematise operational techniques, tactics, and procedures. CTDDCFN is also tasked with collecting and analysing lessons learned to ensure the continuous improvement of training cycles.

Strategic Communication, Technological Innovation,
and Desired Effects

The restructuring process is distinguished by intensified strategic communication and technological innovation, both of which will contribute to achieving the desired outcomes at regional and national levels. Strategic communication is vital for aligning objectives, strengthening organisational culture, and building credibility. For Brazilian Marine Corps, effective communication— particularly regarding its combat capabilities—serves to enhance institutional reputation, foster integration with society, and expand international cooperation.

Technological innovation permeates the entire organisational transformation, with the consolidation of the Marine Corps Technological Centre (CTecCFN) as a Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Institution responsible for the provision of specialised materiel. The establishment of a Tactical Drone Squadron and a Drone School will augment operational capability, supported by the creation of Expeditionary Manufacturing Units (UFEX) capable of producing drones and spare parts via 3D printing. The introduction of an AI research stream within the Advanced Officer Improvement Course further consolidates the CFN as a modern, technologically advanced force aligned with international best practice.

The synchronised and ongoing adoption of these initiatives will enhance deterrence and expeditionary readiness, consolidating the CFN as an instrument of national sovereignty and a cornerstone of Brazilian Naval Power projection.

Points of Convergence and Singularities

A comparative assessment reveals notable areas of convergence between the Brazilian CFN and the German Naval Infantry. Both forces are responding to an increasingly intricate international environment, characterised by hybrid threats, regional disputes, and the imperative to safeguard strategic interests. There is a shared commitment to developing modular, adaptable, and technologically sophisticated structures, with particular emphasis on the integration of AI, automation, and unmanned aerial systems. Organisational resilience is highly valued in both contexts, manifesting in decentralised command structures, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the capacity to sustain operations following attrition. The standardisation of equipment serves to streamline maintenance and training, while effective knowledge management ensures the assimilation of lessons learned and the ongoing refinement of doctrine.

Nevertheless, distinctive features are evident. Brazil, with its expansive riverine, littoral, and territorial domains, places considerable emphasis on riverine operations, the defence of the “Blue Amazon”, and disaster response. Germany, operating within a framework of military alliances and facing both conventional and hybrid threats in Europe, prioritises integration with NATO, the protection of critical infrastructure, and readiness for operations in the Baltic and North Atlantic regions.

Conclusion

The examination of the restructuring processes within the Marine Corps of Brazil and Germany underscores the genuine necessity for adaptation to environments that are complex, volatile, and technologically dynamic. The prominence afforded to structural flexibility, the incorporation of disruptive innovations, and the elevation of knowledge as a strategic asset are clearly discernible as essential factors in maintaining strategic relevance and rapid response capability.

The convergence of trends such as automation, AI, and multidomain operations signals a future in which readiness, resilience, and innovation will serve as decisive differentiators. Ultimately, by reinventing themselves in response to contemporary challenges, the Brazilian Marine Corps and the German Naval Infantry are establishing themselves as exemplars in the transformation of amphibious forces in the twenty-first century.

Maximiliano Pinheiro de Oliveira

Author: Maximiliano Pinheiro de Oliveira is a Captain in the Brazilian Marine Corps, with three decades of service, including a distinguished period in Naval Aviation as a helicopter pilot and command of two aircraft squadrons. The author currently serves as Head of the Sectoral Strategy Department at the Headquarters Marine Corps.

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