Because they have the same concerns, countries in Europe are now uniting to create a joint hanud (air defense) system. Located in Brussels, Belgium, on October 12 2023, several European countries decided to sign a memorandum regarding the European SkyShield system.
In the context of increasing geopolitical tensions, especially as a result of the war in Ukraine and the recent attack on Israel, the European SkyShield Initiative (ESSI) is gaining momentum.
Driven by Germany, this initiative aims to create an integrated air defense system for Europe, including ballistic missile defense capabilities.
ESSI was first proposed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in August 2022, in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine and growing concerns about Europe's limited ability to defend against threats such as the Russian Iskander 9K720 ballistic missile system deployed from Kaliningrad.
This initiative aims to strengthen the NATO Integrated Air Defense System and involves the procurement of a joint air defense system.
To date, 19 European countries are participating in this initiative. Apart from Germany, the founding countries include Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and the United Kingdom. In February 2023, Denmark and Sweden joined the project, and in July 2023, Austria and Switzerland also signed a declaration to join the initiative.
The European SkyShield system adopts a multi-layered approach to air defense. For medium distances, the plan is to mostly use the IRIS-T SLM system. Then long-range defense, the MIM-104 Patriot system will become the cornerstone of this category. Finally, for long-term threats, especially those outside the Earth's atmosphere, Israel's Arrow 3 system will reportedly be considered.
For the record, the Bundestag (German parliament) has approved a budget of nearly 4 billion euros for the acquisition of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system from Israel.
IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium Range) is a medium-range air defense system developed by Diehl Defense in Germany. This hanud system is capable of intercepting air targets at a distance of up to 25 km and at an altitude of 6,100 meters. The system uses infrared-guided missiles and is designed to be highly agile, capable of destroying maneuverable targets such as fighter jets and drones.
The MIM-104 Patriot is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Raytheon in the United States. This hanud system can intercept air and ballistic targets at a distance of up to 160 km and at a maximum altitude of 24 km. The system uses an active electronically scanned array radar for target tracking and missile guidance. The Patriot is also capable of intercepting short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.
The Arrow 3 system is a long-range ballistic missile defense system jointly developed by Israel and the United States. This missile is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere, with an operational range of up to 2,400 km. The system uses radar-guided interceptors and fragmentation warheads to destroy targets.
However, the system does not have full support in Europe, France has opposed the initiative, citing excessive reliance on equipment and technology produced outside Europe in Germany's plans. Several large European countries, including France, Poland, Italy and Spain, have not yet made a decision to join ESSI.
Despite the controversy, the European SkyShield Initiative is an interesting step in consolidating European air defense. It aims to address the increasing need to strengthen NATO and European air defense capabilities.