Duitsland kiest voor raketafweerschild, zullen andere landen deelnemen ?

[Huzaar1]

Het zijn vrachtwagens met buizen en electronica. Het is helemaal niet zo spectaculair, de uitdaging en complexiteit zit in de munitie. Net als vrijwel ieder luchtverdedigingssysteem. Naast de radar natuurlijk.

[Harald]

snelle levering hoor !! 2 Jaar,  opdracht ondertekend eind 2023 en levering nu in eind 2025

Germany receives first Arrow 3 air defense system from Israel

The $4 billion deal to deliver Arrow 3 to Germany was finalized in late 2023.

The Israel Ministry of Defense delivered the first operational Arrow 3 system to Germany in a formal ceremony at a German Air Force base near Berlin, Israel's Ministry of Defense said today.

"This marks a significant step in implementing the defense export contract signed between the two nations approximately two years ago and is considered the largest defense export deal in Israel's history," the ministry said in a statement. The $4 billion deal for Arrow 3 was finalized in late 2023, and Israel said then that it would deliver the system in 2025.

"The Arrow system has protected the State of Israel at high percentages over the past two years, saving lives and preventing damage to bodies and property, enabling the [Israeli Defense Forces] to carry out its missions," the head of the Israel Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Daniel Gold, said.

Arrow 3 is produced by Israel Aerospace Industries and along with Arrow 2 is the uppermost layer of Israel's three-part air defense system, with David's Sling as the middle layer and Iron Dome as the lowest, closest-range layer. While IAI is the prime contractor for the system's radar, interceptors and detection system, the ministry noted that "Elbit Systems developed the command and control system. Tomer, a government-owned company, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are key subcontractors for the development and production of the Arrow 3 interceptor."

"The delivery of the Arrow 3 system to Germany marks a moment of profound national and historical significance," Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO said. "While the world is closely watching the growing threat of ballistic missiles, in the last couple of years Israel intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles launched from Iran and Yemen. Throughout these attacks, the Arrow system operated with exceptional precision and demonstrated its ability to counter massive and complex barrages.

Arrow was developed with the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in a project dating back to the 1980s. The latest version, Arrow 3, was used successfully for the first time to intercept a war-time threat in November 2023, two months after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when it was used to counter Iranian-backed Houthi ballistic missiles.

Later it helped counter several rounds of Iranian ballistic missiles fired at Israel in 2024 and then during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in 2025. Despite being engaged in combat operations on several fronts since Hama's 2023 attack, Israel kept the Arrow deal with Germany on track for the 2025 delivery.

.../...

https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/germany-receives-first-arrow-3-air-defense-system-from-israel/

[Harald]

Germany in talks with Israel to buy more Arrow 3 air defense systems

Germany is negotiating another purchase of Arrow 3 missile defense systems from Israel Aerospace Industries, according to a November 20, 2025, report from the Israeli business outlet Globes. The talks point to Berlin's determination to reinforce long-range protection for both national territory and NATO forces.

Germany is pursuing a follow-on acquisition of Arrow 3 surface-to-air interceptors from Israel Aerospace Industries, a move first reported by the Israeli newspaper Globes on November 20, 2025, and described as part of Berlin's ongoing effort to build a credible layered missile defense network. German officials have signaled that strengthening long-range intercept capacity remains a priority as planners assess evolving regional threats and integration requirements for NATO-facing systems.

This development follows Germany's initial acquisition of the Arrow 3 air defense missile system in August 2023, under a landmark 3.5 billion U.S. dollar contract that remains the largest defense export in Israel's history. That agreement marked Germany as the first international operator of Arrow 3, a system jointly developed by Israel and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Because of its U.S.-funded components and joint development status, the export required formal approval from Washington, underscoring the strategic sensitivity of the sale.

Under the original deal, Germany secured launchers, command-and-control units, the EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine radar system, and a first batch of interceptors. These systems are scheduled for deployment across German Air Force installations by the end of 2025, with integration into NATO's broader missile defense architecture already underway. German defense firms, including MBDA Deutschland and IABG, are directly involved in the integration process to ensure full interoperability with NATO command systems.

The current negotiations aim to expand Germany's interceptor stockpile and increase the operational readiness of the Arrow 3 system in scenarios involving saturation or repeated missile attacks. This effort aligns with Berlin's leadership role in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a NATO-supported framework designed to establish a multi-layered, continent-wide missile defense network. Within this layered structure, Arrow 3 provides the upper-tier capability, complementing shorter-range systems such as IRIS-T SLM and Patriot PAC-3.

Arrow 3 is engineered for exo-atmospheric interception and can neutralize ballistic missiles in space at altitudes above 100 kilometers. It employs a hit-to-kill kinetic mechanism that relies on direct impact, rather than an explosive warhead, to destroy its target. This design minimizes debris risks and reduces the potential for collateral damage. With a reported engagement range of up to 2,400 kilometers, Arrow 3 provides defensive coverage far beyond national borders and can intercept a range of threats, including intermediate- and intercontinental-range ballistic missiles, even those equipped with nuclear, biological, or chemical payloads.

The system's fire control is guided by the Super Green Pine radar, with targeting data processed through a highly advanced battle management system. Currently, Arrow 3 is the only operational Western missile defense system that combines this altitude, range, and precision on a single platform. It is not just a tactical asset but a strategic shield intended to dissuade adversaries from launching long-range attacks.

In parallel with these talks, Germany is reportedly considering extending its lease on IAI's Heron TP unmanned aerial systems, which have been used to strengthen the Bundeswehr's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Nevertheless, the centerpiece of the negotiation remains the Arrow 3 interceptor system, reflecting NATO's growing urgency to prepare for high-end threats emerging from Russia, Iran, and other adversarial states.

If finalized, the new agreement would trigger an expanded production phase at IAI's missile manufacturing facilities in Be'er Yaakov, with Boeing expected to increase output of U.S.-built components such as propulsion systems and kill vehicles. The deal would also deepen bilateral defense cooperation between Germany and Israel and could open the door for additional European nations to join the Arrow 3 program.

At a time of escalating missile threats, renewed great-power rivalry, and fast-developing strike technologies, Germany's move to increase its Arrow 3 air defense missile system inventory signals more than just a defense procurement. It marks a strategic pivot in Europe's security architecture, placing Berlin at the center of NATO's long-range missile shield and reinforcing its role as a leading contributor to continental defense.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/germany-in-talks-with-israel-to-buy-more-arrow-3-air-defense-systems

[Benji87]

Wie sluiten hier nog meer aan in dit initiatief? Met 1 Duitse batterij ga je een aanval van Rusland niet overwegen. Volgens mij is ooit berekend dat je minimaal 12-18 systemen nodig had.

[Harald]

The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) is a German-led multinational air defense program bringing together 21 nations to build a layered shield against Russian drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats. Combining Germany's IRIS-T SLM, the U.S. Patriot PAC-3, and Israel's Arrow-3 interceptors, Sky Shield aims to integrate short, medium, and long-range defenses into a unified NATO-controlled network, providing Europe's most ambitious collective aerial protection since the Cold War.

NATO Sky Shield Becomes Europe's Boldest Gamble to Counter Russian Aerial Threats.

Europe has not faced an aerial threat of this intensity since the Second World War. Russia's sustained campaign of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine has transformed air defense from a niche procurement priority into the central organizing principle of European security. With swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed drones pounding power stations, Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles hitting cities, and ballistic Iskander missiles striking command centers, European leaders now see their own airspace as potentially vulnerable to the same saturation tactics. Against this backdrop, the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) has emerged as the continent's most ambitious defense project in decades — a multinational effort to construct a layered shield capable of countering Russia's evolving aerial arsenal.

Announced in August 2022 by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Sky Shield began as a vision to pool procurement of air defense systems across NATO and EU members. The logic was simple: individual European nations lacked both the budgets and the industrial capacity to independently cover the full spectrum of threats. Only a coordinated, layered system — integrating short, medium, and long-range interceptors under a common network — could ensure credible protection against drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats simultaneously.

Today, the initiative counts 21 participating nations, including Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Austria, Switzerland, and Slovenia. The breadth of membership underscores the seismic shift in European security thinking. Formerly neutral countries like Austria and Switzerland have joined, a sign of how Russia's war has redefined the continent's defense priorities.

The Technical Backbone of Sky Shield

The ESSI (European Sky Shield Initiative) rests on a three-layered defense concept combining systems already in European service with new procurements.

IRIS-T SLM (Short to Medium Range)
Developed by Diehl Defence in Germany, IRIS-T SLM is optimized for intercepting drones, aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 40 km and altitudes of 20 km. The system relies on the TRML-4D AESA radar, which can track more than 1,000 targets simultaneously, including low-signature UAVs. In Ukraine, IRIS-T batteries delivered by Germany have achieved an interception success rate reported above 90 percent, proving the system's value against Russia's Shahed drone swarms.

Patriot PAC-3 MSE (Medium Range)
Manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the Patriot system provides defense against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. The PAC-3 MSE interceptor, Europe's chosen variant, has a range of 60 km against ballistic targets and up to 160 km against aircraft and cruise missiles, with a maximum altitude near 35 km. Its "hit-to-kill" mechanism allows direct impact destruction of ballistic warheads. Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland already operate Patriot batteries, giving the initiative a strong integration base.

Arrow-3 (Long Range/Exo-atmospheric)
At the top layer sits Israel's Arrow-3, jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing. With a reach exceeding 2,000 km and an interception altitude above 100 km, Arrow-3 provides Europe with its first true exo-atmospheric defense. Designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere, Arrow-3 is seen as critical insurance against Russia's potential deployment of long-range or even nuclear-armed missiles. Germany signed a €4 billion procurement deal in 2023, with delivery scheduled later this decade.

Together, these systems create a defense-in-depth model: IRIS-T shields cities and critical infrastructure from drones, Patriot protects military installations and population centers from cruise and short-range ballistic missiles, and Arrow-3 forms the final barrier against long-range ballistic or hypersonic-class threats.

Responding to Russian Aerial Warfare

Russia's aerial campaign over Ukraine has fundamentally shaped the urgency behind Sky Shield. Since February 2022, Moscow has launched an estimated 15,000 Shahed drones and over 7,000 missiles, forcing Ukraine into a permanent state of air defense readiness. The Ukrainian Air Force has repeatedly warned that no single system is sufficient to counter saturation attacks involving dozens of drones launched simultaneously.

European defense planners fear that NATO bases in Poland, Romania, or the Baltic states could face similar tactics in the event of escalation. A coordinated drone swarm targeting airfields or logistics hubs could overwhelm isolated national defenses. ESSI is designed precisely to prevent this — by linking national radars, sensors, and interceptors into a unified network, allowing multiple countries to share responsibility for intercepts and ensuring no critical gap remains open.

A senior NATO official described the logic succinctly: "Russia has taught us that aerial warfare is no longer about a handful of ballistic missiles. It is about mass, saturation, and persistence. Europe must be prepared for both the cheap drone and the expensive missile at the same time. That is the essence of Sky Shield."

Political Ambition Meets Industrial Rivalry

Beyond the battlefield, Sky Shield is also a test of European political unity. Germany has positioned itself at the center of the initiative, reinforcing its role as Europe's security guarantor. Yet not all allies are aligned. France has resisted the project, warning that it risks locking Europe into dependency on U.S. and Israeli suppliers. Paris instead promotes the SAMP/T NG system with Aster 30 Block 1NT interceptors, developed jointly by MBDA and Thales, as a homegrown European alternative. The SAMP/T offers a 120 km range and proven ballistic missile defense capability, already deployed by Italy and France.

Poland has taken another path. While supportive of NATO's broader air defense goals, Warsaw prefers to prioritize national programs such as Wisła (Patriot-based) and Narew (CAMM missile-based), both designed to counter Russian threats specifically against Polish territory. This divergence underscores a fundamental challenge for ESSI: whether it will become a genuinely pan-European framework or remain a German-centered procurement club.

Procurement Timelines and Operational Hurdles

The effectiveness of Sky Shield will ultimately depend on timelines and interoperability. Germany's Arrow-3 contract is not expected to deliver operational batteries before 2029–2030, raising questions about whether the system will arrive too late to counter current threats. Patriots are already deployed in several European countries, but shortages of interceptors remain acute, as the U.S. production line struggles to keep pace with global demand. IRIS-T production is being accelerated, but Diehl Defence has only recently ramped up to full-scale manufacturing, with annual output still in the dozens rather than hundreds.

Another challenge lies in integration. ESSI envisions a command-and-control network where a radar in Finland could cue a missile launch from Germany or Italy, depending on the trajectory of a threat. This level of interoperability requires significant upgrades to NATO's Air Command and Control System (ACCS), as well as political agreements about who has authority to fire in a cross-border engagement scenario. Without these agreements, the Sky Shield risks becoming a collection of parallel national systems rather than a true shield.

The Stakes for Ukraine and NATO

For Ukraine, the Sky Shield carries both immediate and long-term implications. In the near term, Kyiv's defense depends on bilateral deliveries of systems like IRIS-T, Patriot, and NASAMS. Germany has already supplied multiple IRIS-T batteries, which Ukrainian officials credit with saving thousands of lives by intercepting drones and missiles aimed at critical infrastructure. Expansion of European production lines under ESSI could increase the flow of systems to Ukraine over time, reinforcing Kyiv's defense while simultaneously equipping NATO states.

For NATO, the initiative is a signal to Russia that escalation will not be met with disjointed national responses but with a coordinated continental shield. It is also a hedge against shifting U.S. politics. With Washington's long-term commitment to European defense increasingly debated, Sky Shield demonstrates that Europe is preparing to assume more responsibility for its own skies.

Conclusion: Europe's Defense Gamble

The European Sky Shield Initiative represents both Europe's boldest gamble and its most urgent necessity. It is a gamble because it depends on unprecedented multinational integration, costly procurement programs, and political compromises that may prove difficult to sustain. It is a necessity because Russia's war has made clear that the era of assuming uncontested European skies is over.

If successful, Sky Shield will not only provide protection against drones and missiles but also redefine Europe's defense identity — a collective project on the scale of NATO's Cold War integrated air defense system. If it falters, Europe risks repeating the fragmentation and duplication that have long plagued its defense efforts, leaving its airspace vulnerable in a time of heightened danger.

The choice is now clear. As one European defense minister told Army Recognition: "Every Shahed drone that strikes Kyiv today is a warning shot at Warsaw, Vilnius, and Berlin. Sky Shield is not about helping Ukraine alone. It is about making sure the next war does not reach us."

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/exclusive-analysis-nato-sky-shield-becomes-europes-boldest-gamble-to-counter-russian-aerial-threats

[Harald]

Bundeswehr wil Israëlisch wapensysteem Arrow 4 aanschaffen
https://www.hartpunkt.de/bundeswehr-will-israelisches-waffensystem-arrow-4-beschaffen/

(artikel vertaald naar het Nederlands vanuit het Duits)

De luchtmacht heeft besloten het Arrow 4 luchtafweersysteem aan te schaffen, dat momenteel in Israël wordt ontwikkeld. Dat zei de plaatsvervangend inspecteur van de luchtmacht, luitenant-generaal Lutz Kohlhaus, vandaag in zijn openingstoespraak op de Ground Based Air Defence Summit van CPM GmbH in Berlijn.

De Arrow 4 is een verdere ontwikkeling van het Arrow 2-systeem, dat de hoogteband boven de Patriot-systemen in de overgangslaag naar de ruimte bestrijkt, legt Kohlhaus uit. Samen met de inzet van Arrow 3, waarvan de eerste eenheid eind dit jaar in Noordoost-Duitsland in dienst zal treden, kan de luchtmacht in de toekomst met Arrow 4 het gehele hoogtespectrum bestrijken – te beginnen met de luchtverdediging van het leger. Deze beslissing werd zowel aan Israël als aan de leiding van het Ministerie van Defensie meegedeeld. Een voordeel van de Arrow-4-raket is dat deze kan worden gebruikt met bestaande Arrow-radars en -lanceerinrichtingen. Dit maakt het een kosteneffectieve oplossing.

Volgens Kohlhaus blijft de luchtmacht klant van Raytheon voor het Patriot-systeem en zal zij de F-35 gevechtsvliegtuigen in de VS aanschaffen. Hoewel er meer Europese oplossingen zullen worden gebruikt, is de NAVO op dit moment niet in staat tot gezamenlijke luchtoorlogvoering zonder Link 16, IFF Mode 5 of de gestandaardiseerde gegevensstroom. En de normen hiervoor zouden door de VS worden bepaald.

Volgens hem worden de inzetbare commandoposten van de luchtmacht verder gemodulariseerd en mobieler gemaakt. Bovendien wordt met GIADS 5 en Sitaware nieuwe beheersoftware geïntroduceerd. Omdat de Bundeswehr acht nieuwe Patriot-systemen heeft besteld, wordt onderzocht of ook de nieuwe Amerikaanse commando- en controlesoftware IBCS wordt aangeschaft. Kohlhaus kondigde aan dat de beslissing uiterlijk eind dit jaar zou vallen.

Volgens hem eist de luchtmacht de snelle aanschaf van nog eens zes Iris-T SLM-systemen als aanvulling op de zes bestelde systemen. Samen met 16 Patriots en één Arrow-systeem beschikt de Bundeswehr over 29 wapensystemen. De luchtmacht kan "voorlopig" niet meer doen omdat er niet genoeg personeel is, aldus Kohlhaus.

Zoals hij verder uitlegde, zag de luchtmacht de noodzaak in van een tweede squadron luchtafweerraketten, op zijn vroegst in de jaren dertig, "ervan uitgaande dat de personeelsbasis beschikbaar was."

[Harald]

Israel's IAI plugging away at German Arrow-3 order amid Gaza war

Israel Aerospace Industries, the maker of Germany's future long-range antimissile system, has increased shifts and hired more workers to meet the deadline of setting up an installation in Germany sometime next year, a company executive said.

The extra effort follows the national logic of outfitting the Israel Defense Forces as the priority, while also keeping international orders on track, Shay Gal, vice president for external relations, told Defense News at the Farnborough Airshow outside of London.

"We can handle it, and also keep the other businesses running on time," he said. "I think the last almost ten months have proven that we can do it."

../...

The origins of the Arrow-3 deal for Germany precede the outbreak of the war. Lawmakers in Berlin approved the funding in June 2023, followed by a declaration between both countries' defense ministries in September to use the missile-defense project as a springboard for deeper cooperation.

Germany will be the first country besides Israel to field the system. The deal, which comes with a price tag of roughly $4 billion, includes launchers, interceptors and the Green Pine radar, made by IAI subsidiary Elta Systems, said Gal. The German arm of MBDA is also involved, making some components in Germany, he added.

Israeli forces have successfully used the long-range system to intercept ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Berlin wants to use Arrow-3 to protect more than just German territory. Defense officials have pitched it as a major contribution to NATO missile defense by way of its European acquisition-focused element, the European Sky Shield Initiative.

The system has a range of 2,400 kilometers (nearly 1,500 miles), intercepting missiles outside the atmosphere at an altitude of up to 100 kilometers (about 62 miles), according to the German Ministry of Defense.

The first installation will be placed at Holzdorf Air Base in eastern Germany in 2025, the ministry said in a November 2023 statement. Two more will follow by 2030.

According to Gal, the German requirement of having Arrow-3 equipped with the NATO Link-16 technology, which provides protected data connectivity between military assets, is resolved. Ahead of the deal, the prospect of buying from a non-NATO supplier had led to compatibility questions among German defense experts and officials.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/07/24/israels-iai-plugging-away-at-german-arrow-3-order-amid-gaza-war/

[Harald]

Germany places USD 1.2 billion order with Raytheon for Patriot air defence systems

Raytheon has been awarded a USD 1.2 billion (EUR 1.11 billion) contract to supply Germany with additional Patriot air and missile defence systems, parent company RTX announced on 21 March 2024.

The scope of the contract includes the most current Patriot Configuration 3+ radars, launchers, command-and-control stations, associated spares, and support.

"This contract reflects the global emphasis on advanced air and missile defence capabilities and the steadfast confidence in Patriot," Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, was quoted as saying in an RTX press release. "With this expansion, Germany will not only modernise its own significant air defence but enhance its interoperability with allies and further strengthen a core NATO mission."

This latest German contract follows the NATO Support and Procurement Agency awarding a USD 5.5 billion contract to COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon and German company MBDA, for 1,000 Patriot missiles to strengthen the alliance's air defences. The large volume of that order is supporting the establishment of a production facility for Patriot missiles in Germany.

NATO has deployed Patriot missile batteries to protect its allies in Eastern Europe, while NATO allies have also delivered Patriot systems to Ukraine to defend against Russian air and missile attacks.

The Patriot air defence system first entered service with the Luftwaffe in late 1989 and is in service with the armed forces of 19 countries. The system is designed to defeat advanced long-range cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and the full spectrum of air-breathing threats.

https://euro-sd.com/2024/03/major-news/37246/germany-places-patriot-order/

[Harald]

Decision on the selection of the provider of the medium-range air defence system becomes final

On the margins of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in October 2022, the Republic of Slovenia, together with 14 other countries, signed a Letter of Intent to join the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), initiated by the Federal Republic of Germany and involving 19 European countries as of July 2023.

Slovenia is the first of the 19 ESSI members to sign a programme agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany for the purchase of the IRIS-T SLM system.

In August 2023, the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) Memorandum of Understanding (ESSI MOU) on the Joint Procurement of Air Defence Systems was signed, which provide the basis for the establishment of a joint procurement mechanism for air defence systems, and in which Slovenia has a representative. According to the memorandum, the interested countries may conclude separate programme agreements for specific projects, which will define the financial obligations, and the central contracting authority defined in the ESSI MOU will be empowered to execute the specific programme contracts.

On 6 December 2023, the state secretaries of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Damir Črnčec, and the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Benedikt Zimmer, signed a Programme Agreement between the two ministries on the participation of the Republic of Slovenia in the procurement of IRIS-T SLM systems in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Joint Procurement of Air Defence Systems within the framework of the European Sky Defence Initiative.

The Ministry of Defence has decided to select Diehl Defence GmbH & CO. as the supplier of the medium-range air defence system. KG, Germany, to supply Slovenia with the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence system. The price for the complete system with all supporting elements and missiles is EUR 146.82 million, excluding VAT.

Following the publication of the decision on the public procurement portal and the award decision becoming final on 10 January 2024, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Maintenance of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) will conclude Amendment No 1 to the contract for the supply of air defence systems for the Federal Republic of Germany on its own terms and conditions and in the name and on behalf of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia.

https://www.gov.si/en/news/2024-01-12-decision-on-the-selection-of-the-provider-of-the-medium-range-air-defence-system-becomes-final/

[Harald]

Beschaffungsvertrag für das Raketenabwehrsystem Arrow unterzeichnet
https://esut.de/2023/11/meldungen/45672/beschaffungsvertrag-fuer-das-raketenabwehrsystem-arrow-unterzeichnet/

( atikel vertaald via Google Translate)

Op 23 november ondertekende de directeur-generaal van het Israëlische ministerie van Defensie, de gepensioneerde majoor-generaal Eyal Zamir, op het hoofdkwartier van het Israëlische Ministerie van Defensie, in aanwezigheid van de Duitse ambassadeur in Israël, Steffen Seibert, de overeenkomst voor Duitsland om de Arrow 3-raketafweersysteem ter waarde van ongeveer 3,6 miljard dollar (drie miljard euro). Voor de Duitse kant had de civiele vice-president van de BAAINBw het contract een paar dagen eerder al ondertekend, zoals blijkt uit een post van het Bundeswehr Procurement Office op Platform X. Zoals de woordvoerder van het Ministerie van Defensie heeft aangekondigd, rondt de definitieve ondertekening door Duitse en Israëlische functionarissen het aanbestedingsproces af dat begon met het bezoek van minister van Defensie Yoav Gallant aan Duitsland in september 2023.

Op voorhand was niet altijd duidelijk of de lang geplande datum gehaald kon worden. Waarnemers hebben verwacht dat de "Zwaarden van IJzeren" oorlog, die begon na de Hamas-aanval op 7 oktober, de beschikbaarheid van personeel bij het Ministerie van Defensie en/of de capaciteit van de Israëlische defensie-industrie zou kunnen aantasten.

Volgens het Israëlische Ministerie van Defensie vertegenwoordigt het Arrow-3 raketafweersysteem het toppunt van mondiale technologie en is het ontworpen om ballistische raketten uit de exo-atmosfeer te onderscheppen. Het Arrow-3-systeem onderschepte en vernietigde met succes een raket gericht op Israël in het Rode Zeegebied voor de eerste keer tijdens de Swords of Iron-oorlog.

Volgens de officiële aankondiging wordt het Arrow-3-systeem gezamenlijk ontwikkeld en geproduceerd door de Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) van het Israëlische Ministerie van Defensie en de United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is de hoofdaannemer voor de ontwikkeling en productie van het wapensysteem, de Arrow-onderscheppingsraketten en het radardetectiesysteem. Elbit Systems is verantwoordelijk voor de ontwikkeling van het commando- en vuurleidingssysteem. Tomer en Rafael Advanced Systems zijn de belangrijkste onderaannemers voor de ontwikkeling en productie van de Arrow 3-verdedigingsraket.

Volgens de overeenkomst moet de eerste 'Arrow 3'-batterij eind 2025 aan het Duitse Ministerie van Defensie worden geleverd.

[Harald]

Österreich baut Luftverteidigung aus
https://esut.de/2023/11/meldungen/45593/oesterreich-baut-luftverteidigung-aus/


Als eerste stap wil Oostenrijk zijn luchtverdediging uitbreiden met elk vier IRIS-T luchtverdedigingssystemen voor de korte en middellange afstand.

Op 15 november besloot de Oostenrijkse ministerraad een langeafstandsraketverdedigingssysteem aan te schaffen. Volgens het Federale Leger zal de kwalitatieve en kwantitatieve aanpassing van de luchtverdedigingsmacht op de grond, als onderdeel van het ontwikkelingsplan 2032+, worden uitgevoerd met behulp van verschillende systemen die zullen worden gebruikt in drie complementaire activiteitengebieden. In militaire termen hebben we het over drie onderscheppingslagen, die worden gedefinieerd door hun bereik in afstand en hoogte. Oostenrijk kent op alle drie de gebieden een tekort aan vaardigheden.

Met de financieel gegarandeerde middelen in overeenstemming met het ontwikkelingsplan ÖBH 2032+ wordt het dichten van de vermogenslacunes voor de korte en middellange actieradius van de grondluchtverdedigingsmacht gewaarborgd. In de toekomst zullen deze systemen zorgen voor de mogelijkheid om zich te verdedigen tegen drones, helikopters, gevechtsvliegtuigen, strategische bommenwerpers, lucht-grond geleide raketten en artilleriegeleide wapens tot een afstand van maximaal 50 kilometer; d.w.z. tot het middenbereik.

Het huidige ontwikkelingsplan van ÖBH 2032+ maakt echter nog geen capaciteitsontwikkeling op het langeafstandsgebied mogelijk, dat wil zeggen in het bereik van meer dan 50 kilometer - vooral voor de verdediging tegen ballistische raketten.

Oostenrijk wil aansluiten bij het door Duitsland geïnitieerde European Air Defense Initiative ESSI, maar heeft het MoU (nog) niet ondertekend. In deze context kondigde Oostenrijk het plan aan om elk vier brandweereenheden uit de IRIS-T SLM- en SLS-systemen aan te schaffen, met een aanschafvolume van twee miljard euro. Volgens persberichten zullen de luchtverdedigingssystemen Patriot uit de VS of Arrow uit Israël in aanmerking komen voor de uitbreiding van de luchtverdediging waartoe nu is besloten. Vanaf 2026 moeten de eerste nieuwe systemen klaar zijn voor gebruik.

[Harald]

10 NATO Allies take further step to boost European air and missile defence capabilities

Defence Ministers from 10 NATO Allies came together on Wednesday (11 October 2023) to sign a memorandum of understanding to further develop the European Sky Shield Initiative. Under Germany's leadership, the initiative aims to bolster European air and missile defence through the joint acquisition of air defence equipment and missiles by European nations. This will strengthen NATO's integrated air and missile defence.

"European Sky Shield Initiative, under Germany's leadership, shows the value of Allies stepping up to meet NATO's requirements, while ensuring interoperability and integration," said NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană. He added: "This initiative therefore, helps translate Allied commitments on defence spending into tangible capabilities available for our collective defence. It demonstrates the clear commitment of European Allies to fair burden sharing as well."

The European Sky Shield Initiative enables participating nations to jointly procure an air and missile defence system in an efficient and cost-effective way using interoperable, off-the-shelf solutions. This multinational approach offers a flexible and scalable way for nations to strengthen their deterrence and defence.

The 10 NATO Allies participating in the initiative are: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Slovenia.



https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_219119.htm

[Harald]

Zeichnung des Joint Declaration of Intent und des Vertrags ARROW
https://www.bmvg.de/de/presse/zeichnung-des-joint-declaration-of-intent-und-des-vertrags-arrow-5683252

Op 28 september 2023 ontvangt federaal minister van Defensie Boris Pistorius de Israëlische minister van Defensie, HE Yoav Gallant. Ter gelegenheid van dit openingsbezoek ondertekenden beide ministers een gezamenlijke intentieverklaring over het ARROW-project.

Dit gebeurt in aanwezigheid van de president van het Federale Bureau voor Apparatuur, Informatietechnologie en Gebruik van de Bundeswehr, die vervolgens samen met haar tegenhanger de Letter of Commitment voor het ARROW-systeem ondertekent.

Na de ondertekeningsceremonie is een gezamenlijke persverklaring van de twee ministers van Defensie gepland.

[Harald]

New generation of ground medium-range air defence systems SAMP/T NG for the Italian Air Force 



OCCAR-EA Director Mr Joachim Sucker and eurosam Managing Director Mrs Eva Bruxmeier signed Amendment 13 of the FSAF-PAAMS Sustainment & Enhancement (S&E) contract for approximately 700 million euro for the procurement of the new generation of ground medium-range air defence systems SAMP/T NG for the Italian Air Force. This procurement adds to the SAMP/T NG production ordered in January 2023 for the Italian Army and French Air & Space Force.
OCCAR-EA has awarded this amendment of the S&E contract, by delegation of Segretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti (SEGREDIFESA) and Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), to the eurosam consortium, consisting of Thales, MBDA-France and MBDA-Italy shareholders.
The contract was signed in the presence of SEGREDIFESA, DGA and Italian Air Force representatives as it sees the latter Armed Force joining the FSAF-PAAMS programme alongside the Italian Army and Navy, the French Navy and Air & Space Force, and the British Royal Navy. 
With this contract, the Italian Air Force will be equipped with SAMP/T NG ground-to-air defence capabilities. The SAMP/T NG system development, launched in 2021 in cooperation with France and Italy, is an enhancement of the SAMP/T system in service since 2010.
The system comprises multifunctional radars (GF-300 by Thales for France and Kronos GM HP by Leonardo for Italy) with increased capability of detection and tracking of modern targets, including ballistic and hypersonic threats, and a new Engagement Module, which allows for enhanced robustness against saturating threats, high velocity cruise missiles, as well as increasing defended zone against ballistic missiles. This new systems will use both ASTER 30 Block-1 and ASTER 30 Block-1 NT (New Technology) air defence missiles from MBDA.
The Italian Air Force is joining the programme at a pivotal time, as it has now reached the completion of the definition phase for the new generation of ASTER missiles and SAMP/T NG systems. Through this procurement, Nations further reaffirm their confidence in the principles of international cooperation, contributing towards the enhancement of a cohesive European defence.
Within this framework, OCCAR-EA, as a recognised European centre of excellence for the management and procurement of complex, cooperative defence equipment programmes, continues to fully support the Nations in achieving their strategic objectives.

https://www.occar.int/occar-signs-se-contract-amendment-launch-additional-sampt-ng-systems-italian-air-force

ground medium-range air defence systems SAMP/T NG
https://eurosam.com/ground-systems/
https://www.mbda-systems.com/product/aster-30-sampt/

[Harald]

Oostenrijk en Zwitserland nemen ook deel aan het Programma Sky Shield

Schweiz macht bei «Sky Shield» mit: die wichtigsten Antworten
https://www.srf.ch/news/international/Europaeische-luftverteidigung-schweiz-macht-bei-sky-shield-mit-die-wichtigsten-antworten

Österreich will europäischem Raketenabwehrsystem beitreten
https://www.kleinezeitung.at/politik/innenpolitik/6303365/Unterschrift-am-Freitag_Oesterreich-will-dem-Europaeischen