It is technically demanding and expensive, but could save many lives: missiles can intercept and destroy other missiles at high altitudes.
This has advantages - but also quickly comes up against limits.
Berlin/Tel Aviv - According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the federal government is considering significantly better protection against rocket attacks ("protective shield") for Germany.
Against the background of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin's threats against NATO countries, Scholz spoke of a currently violent neighbor who could only be deterred with strength.
One possibility: the Israeli system "Arrow 3".
How does a missile shield work?
The defense against incoming missiles takes place at different target heights and is organized jointly by the NATO defense alliance.
The enemy weapon systems are detected with radar systems.
An anti-missile is sent on a collision course from land or sea.
She can destroy the attack system with the brunt of her own kinetic energy or blast a destructive shrapnel cloud in the missile's path.
What protection against rocket attacks does Germany already have?
Germany has deployed the Stinger anti-aircraft missile for closer range and combating aircraft and helicopters, which was also fired into Ukraine for a shoulder launch.
The larger Patriot system works at medium distances up to a height of 30 kilometers.
Germany still has twelve launch sites, but this is far from enough to protect the entire country.
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The Bundeswehr is said to have a whole "capability gap" when it comes to defending against ballistic missiles, which reach great heights on their orbit and can therefore only be fought very close to the point of impact.
One possible response that the federal government is considering is buying Israel's Arrow 3 missile.
What capabilities does such a system offer?
The "Arrow 3" forms the highest level of Israel's multi-stage missile defense and can destroy attacking weapon systems up to 100 kilometers above the atmosphere in the beginning of space.
This also increases the area protected on the ground and destroys warheads far from the target.
How well can it protect against attacks?
Military experts curb expectations that all missiles in an attack wave can be shot down.
After all, a system to defend against short-range missiles such as the Israeli Iron Dome (Iron Dome) is said to have a hit rate of around 90 percent.
Defense against medium- and long-range missiles can be seen separately from this.
An industry representative interviewed by the German Press Agency believes it is possible to intercept “the larger number” of these missiles.
According to military experts, however, there is no hermetic protection against rocket attacks.
It's about staying one step ahead of the potential attacker, and potential counterattacks are part of deterrence.
There is still no defense against the hypersonic missiles, which the Russian armed forces say they have already used in Ukraine.
Why is that?
These weapon systems fly more than 5,000 kilometers per hour, which reduces warning times.
And while ballistic weapons describe a predictable curve, the hypersonic missiles remain controllable until just before the target.
A defense missile would have to be even more agile.
Or one relies on the development of a comparable system to deter the opponent.
So far, German governments have thought nothing of this.
After Russia had tested its weapon system, then Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) called for a ban and a set of rules in March 2019.
He announced an "international missile dialogue" at a meeting entitled "Rethinking arms control".
How much does the Arrow system cost and when will it be ready for use?
The federal government has declared that it intends to procure more systems that are already available on the market and to make progress with the equipment.
According to experts, the "Arrow 3" system is already set up to be integrated into structures of the joint NATO air defense.
The costs are roughly estimated at two billion euros.
At the earliest, it could probably be operational in Germany at the end of the legislative period.
How great is the danger that Germany will be attacked with rockets?
The threat has been considered low since the end of the Cold War.
The Russian war of aggression has led to a reassessment, but there are no concrete warnings.
dpa
