Germany's European air defence pillar?

In the Baltic Sea lies the location of Bundeswehri, Toddendorf, where the 61 antiaircraft military department is stationed. A classic military ground, but within a few months a fast container complex has been established. Bundeswehr and German industry have jointly established an air defence training centre in record times. The head of the training centre, Ingo Gerhartz, is referring to speed “personic”, compared to procedures commonly recognised by the German Army.

This seems to have been possible by industry cooperation with Bundeswehrin, a collaboration that Ingo Gerhartz praises. Co-operation with the family-run venture Diehl Defence led to accelerated production of air defence systems.

For German Army inspector Gerhartz, this is “the turningpoint”. In June 2023 contracts were signed, in October 2024 the first antiaircraft system is expected to be in service of the army. German systems can become an important European air defence base in Europe.

Iris-T System SLM every day in war

Two German air defence systems are in constant use in Ukraine, a third will be given to this country from Germany in the autumn. In the space around Kiev, anti-aircraft missiles “made in Germany” protect citizens and critical infrastructure from threats “hashed” Russians. More than 110 hits have registered the German system, says Harald Busek, executive director of Diehl Defence. In the spring of this year this site has neutralised a massive attack with 13 Russian drones. The German antiaircraft system is being tested under the most difficult circumstances. If they have problems, the Ukrainians call producer Diehl Defence.

The success of the German air system in Ukraine has made it very popular for other countries. For Diehl Defence, that means a billion-dollar business, even though it's not officially the figure. The production of the air defence system has increased, next year factories will produce up to 500 antiaircraft missiles and by 2025 eight complex air defence systems.

Iris - T-SLM seems to turn into a German export hit. And it is no wonder that within a time of writing on the eastern German coast of Baltic the German Army together with industry have set up record halls, schooling spaces, special training centres.

“European Air Defence Academy” becomes reality

According to the German stance Iris system- T SLM will have to become an important part of European air defence. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in his speech in Prague a year ago that the “Europapian SkyShild” and with the training centre “European Air Defence Academy” will become a reality. According to German Army inspector Gerhartz system Iris T-SLM will have to have as many seats as possible. Meanwhile, 14 military inspectors from all over Europe have visited the training centre near Baltic and the air defence system. Only France, Germany's most important partner, has been missing. French systems are preferred there. /dw