Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the widespread use of missiles to attack targets in the country, the German government is considering trying to purchase missile defense systems from Israel in the near future, the Bild newspaper reports in its Sunday edition. According to the report, the issue was discussed at a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Schultz and German Chief of Staff Eberhard Zoran.
The two reportedly discussed the possibility of Germany acquiring the “Iron Dome” system for relatively short-range rocket defense, as well as the “Arrow 3” system for ballistic missile defense, which is still being developed by Israel but has demonstrated its ability in a series of successful trials. According to the report, no German decision has yet been made on the matter.
German lawmakers have in the past called on the government to immediately purchase the “Iron Dome” system. Andreas Schwartz, a representative of the Social Democratic Party dealing with security issues, told the newspaper: “We must better protect ourselves from the Russian threat. To do this, we need a pan-German ‘protection umbrella’. The Israeli Arrow 3 system is a good solution. “.
According to estimates in Germany, the purchase of the system – if possible for Israel and the US developing it – will cost at least two billion euros. The Germans estimate that it will be operational by 2025. It will be deployed in three centers in Germany, and the information from them will be transferred to the Air Force base in Odem, in the west of the country. The interceptor missile launchers will be stationed in various places in Germany.
Security sources who spoke to the newspaper said the radar was so powerful that it could also detect launches towards Romania, Poland and the Baltic states. These countries would be able to purchase interceptors independently, and Germany would provide them with the radar image. “We can ‘spread’ the use over neighboring countries,” Schwartz said, “and by doing so Germany will play a key role in European security.”