The head of Rheinmetall proposed creating an analogue of the Israeli “Iron Dome” for Europe

Rheinmetall proposes to create an analogue of the Israeli Iron Dome in Europe “Iron Dome”/Collage 24 Channel (Photo by Natan Flayer, AP)

A new proposal on the issue of air defense was provided by the general director Europe's largest ammunition manufacturer Rheinmetall. He said EU leaders should consider installing short-range air defense systems similar to Israel's Iron Dome.

It is known that Israel has a multi-layered air defense system. It includes, in particular, the Iron Dome system, which shoots down small targets.

What the head of Rheinmetall said

It is known that Armin Papperger's statement came as EU capitals increase military spending due to growing fears of a Russian threat to the continent and seek to eliminate long-standing limitations in existing defense systems.

Papperger said short-range air defense is “what they want to build in Europe,” pointing to one aspect of the Berlin-backed initiative, the European Sky Shield.

I also think it is a good idea to have a European solution like Iron Dome,” Papperger noted.

It is noted that the Iron Dome has a range of up to 70 kilometers and has been used by Israel since 2011 to intercept short-range missiles.

Analysts have called protecting large areas of continental Europe with a similar system far-fetched, but EU countries have invested in a range of air defense technologies.

One European defense official said Europe already has ” all possibilities for creating full-fledged levels of air defense. >

• At the end of 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the European Sky Shield initiative.
• He sees it as a way to create a European air and missile defense system through joint procurement of equipment.
• 21 countries have joined the initiative.