The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag has approved the initial tranche of €560mn for the purchase of Israel's anti-missile systems "Hetz-3" (also known as Arrow-3).
In a significant move aimed at bolstering its defense capabilities, Germany has decided to purchase Israel's anti-missile defense system with the overall expenses estimated to reach €4 billion, Politico reports.
The Hetz-3 systems, developed through collaboration between Israel Aircraft Industries and American Boeing, are specifically designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere. By acquiring these missile defense systems, Germany aims to enhance its ability to counter potential missile threats.
In addition to the Hetz-3 purchase, the Budget Committee has also approved the procurement of six German-made IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft missile systems. The IRIS-T SLM systems are designed to intercept cruise missiles and serve various other defense functions. The committee has allocated an estimated budget of approximately €950mn for these additional systems.
Deputy Carsten Klein, speaking to Politico, emphasized that the acquisition of the IRIS-T SLM and Hetz-3 systems would play a crucial role in creating a “creating a shield of protection over Germany”. These advanced defense systems will significantly reinforce Germany's preparedness against evolving security challenges, particularly in missile threats.
The decision to invest in these defense capabilities comes in the wake of the German government's unveiling of its first-ever National Security Strategy on June 14th. Although work on the strategy began in 2021, it gained substantial momentum following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops. The National Security Strategy includes plans for Germany to increase its defense expenditure by up to 2% of its gross domestic product.
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