Active Discussions on Building 'Sky Shield' Led by Germany
France and Italy Refuse to Join, Insisting on Independent Systems
On the 15th (local time) in Tel Aviv, Israel, the Iron Dome missile defense system is intercepting missiles launched from Iran. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
As the Iron Dome air defense system played a significant role in defending Israel's major cities during the Israel-Iran conflict, discussions in Germany about establishing the Sky Shield system, modeled after Iron Dome, are gaining momentum. With the growing threat of Russian military provocations, there is a sense of urgency to build an air defense network for major urban centers. At the same time, there are increasing calls within Europe for countries to unite and create a transcontinental air defense network, raising expectations for the establishment of a system that would protect all of Europe, similar to the United States' Golden Dome.
Calls for Iron Dome adoption rise in Germany amid Israel-Iran conflict
Kai Wegner, the mayor of Berlin from the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said in an interview with local media T-Online on the 15th (local time), "Global circumstances are increasing the threats facing Berlin," and added, "Strengthening the air defense network over Berlin against the Russian threat is a key issue, and currently, many measures are being prepared not only for Berlin but also for Germany and all of Europe."
The new coalition government in Germany, led by the CDU, is preparing various war contingency measures, including strengthening the air defense system in anticipation of a possible Russian invasion, reinstating conscription, and expanding underground bunkers. This is due to growing concerns that Russia, which started the war in Ukraine, might launch additional invasions against European countries in the future. Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's public broadcaster, reported, "Germany is considered one of the countries most threatened by Russian attacks, as it is a key NATO member in Europe and a hub for defense contractors, including tank manufacturers."
It is reported that the number of Russians who view Germany as an adversary has increased significantly. According to TASS, a survey conducted earlier this month by the Russian polling agency Levada found that 55% of respondents considered Germany an adversary. This is a sharp increase from 16% in 2021, before the war in Ukraine.
Germany leads Sky Shield project with participation from 20 countries
Germany is cooperating with several countries to expand the Sky Shield defense system across Europe and establish the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). According to CNN, Germany began discussions on building the ESSI system with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and others after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. By the end of last year, 20 European countries had joined the ESSI initiative. The German government plans to establish the initial ESSI system within this year and complete deployment in key areas by 2030.
The project is based on the principle that member countries will jointly fund the installation of the Israeli-style Iron Dome system at key strategic locations in Europe, as well as share the costs of operation, maintenance, and repairs. Currently, under Germany's leadership, core defense systems such as the Arrow-3 from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Patriot system from the American company Raytheon (RTX) are being imported.
Except for Switzerland and Austria, all countries participating in ESSI are NATO members, and the system is expected to operate in conjunction with NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). If the deployment is successful, it will create another large-scale air defense network alongside the Golden Dome, the anti-air defense system that the Donald Trump administration is seeking to install across North America.
France and Italy refuse to join, insisting on independent development
On the 16th (local time), the Aster missile defense system exhibited at the Paris Air Show. The Aster missile is an air defense system jointly developed by France and Italy. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
However, some European countries, including France and Italy, are refusing to participate in ESSI and are focusing on developing their own missile systems. For the German-led ESSI to become a fully established continental air defense system, cooperation with these non-participating countries will be necessary.
On the 16th (local time), the Aster missile, an air defense missile jointly developed by France and Italy, was exhibited at the Paris Air Show. The two countries deployed this missile in 2001 and are arguing that the Aster missile should be used for ESSI instead of the Iron Dome, which was jointly developed by the United States and Israel.
Previously, President Emmanuel Macron, at a German-led ESSI meeting in June 2023, said, "We should not become excessively dependent on weapons systems manufactured outside Europe," and pointed out, "Why do we still have to buy American weapons so often? It is because the United States has made more progress in standardization and because U.S. federal agencies provide massive subsidies to defense contractors."
France, which argues that the influence of the United States on overall security policy should be reduced, and Germany, which seeks to strengthen its alliance with the United States, have conflicting strategies, making it difficult to find common ground. The U.S. political media outlet Politico pointed out, "France, as a nuclear power, emphasizes the need to build independent defense capabilities through Europe's own military-industrial complex, while Germany is more proactive in maintaining its transatlantic alliance with the United States," adding, "The two countries differ not only on air defense systems but also on specific issues such as military support for Ukraine and arms exports."
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