German air defence reaches “milestones”
Ukraine’s situation shows how important it is to be able to defend against missile and drone attacks. The strength of Germany’s air defences is on display on Crete.
Chania (dpa) – Defence Minister Boris Pistorius sees the joint expansion of NATO’s air defences as a key step towards strengthening defence readiness. Russia’s war against Ukraine demonstrates the need for this, he said during a visit to the Spartan Arrow 2026 military exercise on Crete, where German and Swedish soldiers were conducting live-fire air defence training.
German and Swedish soldiers practised operating their ground-based air defence systems at the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) in Greece. These systems engage airborne targets such as drones and ballistic missiles.
Live firing of these expensive guided missiles is a rare occurrence. Military stocks are limited, and live firing also requires restrictions on airspace and maritime traffic. The missile firing range is the only facility of its kind on NATO territory in Europe.
The German troops also conducted their first live firing with their new IRIS-T SLM weapons system, which has proved effective in Ukraine. “Our new systems have a hit-to-kill capability. This means that instead of using a proximity fuze to detonate near the incoming missile, they strike its warhead directly: hit-to-kill. That really is high-tech,” said Chief of the German Air Force Holger Neumann.
The Ministry of Defence has also procured the Israeli Arrow air defence system. This is designed to destroy enemy missiles at altitudes extending beyond 100 kilometres, a capability the Bundeswehr previously lacked.
