Germany seeks Israeli, Ukrainian cruise missiles to deter Russia | PiQ Markets
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Germany seeks Israeli, Ukrainian cruise missiles to deter Russia
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IN SHORT
Germany is seeking to acquire long-range cruise missiles from Israeli and Ukrainian companies, such as Israel's Covenant and Ukraine's Flamingo, to enhance its defense against Russia. This initiative follows delays in U.S. Tomahawk missile purchases and a halted U.S. plan for missile deployment. Concurrently, Ukraine and Germany have agreed to develop anti-ballistic capabilities, including a joint unmanned ground vehicle project, with President Zelenskiy calling for allied contributions to counter Russian ballistic missiles before winter. Meanwhile, eastern EU nations are urging faster air defense funding due to increasing drone incursions into EU airspace from both Russia and Ukraine. Switzerland also plans to establish a drone battalion by 2028.
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Key Numbers
2028year Switzerland plans to establish drone battalion
Who's Involved
Germany
European nation exploring cruise missile acquisition and anti-ballistic capabilities
Ukraine
Nation signing anti-ballistic capabilities deal and offering missile technology
Israel
Nation with companies being considered for cruise missile sales
Russia
Nation whose aggression Germany seeks to deter and whose drones stray into EU airspace
President Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President urging allied contributions to defense efforts
EU countries
Eastern European nations pushing for faster air defense funding
Switzerland
Nation planning to establish a drone battalion by 2028
U.S.
Nation with delayed Tomahawk purchases and a halted missile deployment plan
Key facts
Germany is exploring acquiring long-range cruise missiles from Israeli and Ukrainian companies.
Ukraine's Flamingo and Israel's Covenant are among the companies being considered by Germany.
Germany's move follows a halted U.S. plan for missile deployment and delays in U.S. Tomahawk purchases.
Ukraine and Germany have signed an agreement to develop anti-ballistic capabilities.
The Ukraine-Germany agreement includes joint production of an unmanned ground vehicle.
President Zelenskiy urged allies to contribute to anti-ballistic capabilities development by winter.
Eastern EU nations are pushing for accelerated air defense funding.
Military drones from Russia and Ukraine have increasingly strayed into EU airspace.
Switzerland plans to establish a drone battalion by 2028.
Switzerland's initiative aims to bolster defense capabilities with advanced technology.
Germany is actively exploring the acquisition of long-range cruise missiles from both Israeli and Ukrainian defense companies to strengthen its military posture and deter potential Russian aggression. Among the companies being considered are Ukraine's Flamingo and Israel's Covenant. This strategic move by Germany is partly a response to the halting of a U.S. plan for missile deployment and delays encountered in U.S. Tomahawk missile purchases, which have created a gap in available long-range strike capabilities.
In parallel, Ukraine and Germany have formalized an agreement focused on developing anti-ballistic capabilities. This collaboration includes plans for the joint production of an unmanned ground vehicle. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has appealed to international allies for contributions to this effort, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions by the upcoming winter to counter the threat posed by Russian ballistic missiles. The urgency is underscored by eastern EU nations, situated on the bloc's border, who are pressing Brussels to expedite air defense funding. This pressure is exacerbated by a growing number of military drone incursions, with drones from both Russia and Ukraine repeatedly straying into European Union airspace.
Beyond these immediate defense initiatives, Switzerland is undertaking a significant modernization of its armed forces by planning to establish a drone battalion by the year 2028. This strategic decision aims to integrate advanced drone technology into its defense framework, enhancing its overall capabilities. The broader context involves a heightened awareness across Europe regarding aerial threats, from ballistic missiles to drones, prompting a reevaluation of defense strategies and funding priorities among various European nations.
↳ Why This Matters
Germany is actively exploring the acquisition of long-range cruise missiles from both Israeli and Ukrainian defense companies to strengthen its military posture and deter potential Russian aggression. Among the companies being considered are Ukraine's Flamingo and Israel's Covenant. This strategic move by Germany is partly a response to the halting of a U.S. plan for missile deployment and delays encountered in U.S. Tomahawk missile purchases, which have created a gap in available long-range strike capabilities.
Frequently asked questions
Germany is seeking new cruise missiles to bolster its long-range strike capabilities and deter potential Russian aggression, following setbacks with U.S. missile deployments and procurement.
Ukraine's Fire Point is offering its FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile, which has a 3,000-kilometer range and a lower cost compared to U.S. alternatives.
Covenant, an Israeli-American firm, is developing the Anthem missile system and plans to establish a European supply ecosystem, with German defense officials invited to observe its testing.
What Happens Next
01Covenant's Anthem missile system is expected to be tested in Israel.
02German defense ministry officials have been invited to observe the Anthem missile test.
03Legal and political barriers around export restrictions for Ukraine's Flamingo missile must be cleared.
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