Germany to invest €17 billion to strengthen its air defense capabilities including 8 IRIS-T.

Germany plans to invest €17 billion to strengthen its air defense capabilities with a new multi-layered anti-missile shield including German IRIS-T, Israeli Arrow 3, and American PATRIOT air defense missile system. Currently, the German government negotiates with the company Diehl Defence to procure eight IRIS-T anti-missile systems.
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Germany will invest to €2-3 billion to acquire the german-made IRIS-T as well as 4€ billion for the acquisition of Arrow 3 manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and around €10 billion for the American Patriot air defense missile system. (Picture source Graphic News and Army Recognition)

German Ministry of Defense has launched the LVS NNbS program that will bridge a current capability gap when it comes to protecting ground troops during deployed operations as well as securing tactical operation centers and other assets against short- and very short-range aerial threats.

According to the German Government, the LVS project is to replace the Patriot air defense system for medium and long ranges by 2031 and expand its capabilities. Currently, the German army has twelve ground-based Patriot air defense missile systems. In addition, the LVS NNbS will also replace the Mantis weapon system and the Ozelot light air defense system and expand their capabilities. The German armed forces currently had two Mantis systems and two Ozelot platoons.

Rheinmetall Electronics of Bremen, Diehl Defence of Überlingen and Hensoldt Sensors announced recently that they had signed a joint agreement to co-operate in a special partnership known as an “Arbeitsgemeinschaft”, or ARGE, which will submit a tender to provide a national, low-risk air-defense solution that features proven systems and subsystems, including integration of components already in use by the German military.

Citing information from the American-based television network Bloomberg, Germany will invest to €2-3 billion to acquire the german-made IRIS-T as well as 4€ billion for the acquisition of Arrow 3 manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and around €10 billion for the American Patriot air defense missile system.

The IRIS-T (Infra-Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled) is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by a consortium of German, Italian, and Norwegian companies for use by the armed forces of Germany, Italy, Norway, and others. The IRIS-T is capable of engaging aerial targets at ranges of up to 75 km and at altitudes up to 24,000 m and features advanced seeker technology, thrust vector control, and a high-performance motor.

Launcher unit of German-made IRIS-T air defense missile system. (Picture source Hensoldt)

The Arrow 3 is an advanced air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the US Missile Defense Agency. It is designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere, providing a multi-layer defense system for the State of Israel. Arrow 3 uses hit-to-kill technology and is capable of engaging a wide range of threats, including short-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles.

The Arrow 3 missile has a maximum firing range of 2,400 km and can intercept aerial threats at an altitude of up to 100 km.

Israeli-made Arrow 3 air defense missile system. (Israeli MoD)

The latest generation of the American-made PATRIOT air and missile defense system is known as Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3). It is developed and manufactured by Raytheon Technologies (previously by Raytheon Company). The PAC-3 is an upgrade of the previous Patriot systems and features improved capabilities to defend against advanced threats, including theater ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The PAC-3 system uses hit-to-kill technology and has an improved radar, an enhanced computer system, and a more capable launcher. It is capable of engaging targets at a range of up to 160 km and at altitudes of up to 30,000 m.

Launcher unit of American-made Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile system. (Picture source Lockheed Martin)