European coalition for ballistic missile shield is born, Italy is also there: what is it

A European coalition to develop a common shield against ballistic missiles. This is the initiative launched today in Paris, on the occasion of the meeting of Coalition of the Willingby the leaders of Italy, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, who signed a joint statement to initiate the formation of a Ballistic Missile Defense Coalition.

The objective, we read in the declaration, is to quickly develop a “purely defensive” European defense capability through the creation of an “integrated missile defense architecture” capable of “deterring and neutralizing future missile threats”. The project will support and integrate national systems already in service or in the acquisition phase, leveraging cooperation between defense industries, research and operational capabilities.

In the statement the leaders underline that the initiative “it is not against any people, but in defense of ours”also recognizing Ukraine’s accumulated experience in defending against missile attacks during Russia’s “war of aggression” as a key contribution to the development of the project.

The 10 countries intend to define common operational requirements, establish technical working groups and shared governance mechanisms, as well as a road map to operationalize the Coalition’s first capabilities. Also envisaged is support for joint research and development programmes, the identification of possible financing instruments and a strengthening of the exchange of data and information. The Coalition will remain open to the membership of other countries that share its principles and objectives.