Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger believes that Europe should consider creating its own analog of the Iron Dome, which was created by Israel. This was reported by UNN with reference to Financial Times.
Details
The publication emphasizes that today EU capitals are increasing military spending due to growing fears of a Russian threat to the continent and are seeking to eliminate long-standing limitations in existing defense systems.
Papperger said that short-range air defense is "something they want to build in Europe," pointing to one aspect of the Berlin-backed European Sky Shield initiative.
I also think it's a good idea to have a European solution like Iron Dome
Another European defense official said that Europe already has "all the capabilities to create full-fledged levels of air defense.
Дуда хоче, щоб країни НАТО збільшили витрати на оборону до 3% ВВП11.03.24, 11:42
Addendum
In the fall of 2022, more than a dozen NATO members, led by Germany, launched a project to create a more advanced European air defense system , the European Sky Shield.
According to Spiegel, the initiative should help to close existing gaps in the current defense of European skies.
In addition to Germany, 14 other countries are currently participating in the project. Representatives of the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, and Slovenia arrived at the signing ceremony on Thursday morning. In addition, according to the diplomats, Estonia is also interested in joining the initiative.
For reference
The Iron Dome is a mobile, all-weather air defense system that has a range of up to 70 km and has been used by Israel since 2011 to intercept short-range missiles.
Recall
Reuters writes that EU leaders will support a change in the European Investment Bank's lending policy to allow financing of defense projects to boost European defense production