Europe's answer to Patriot: Defense giants team up to build new super-missile
Photo: IRIS-T air defense system (defence-ua)
European defense giants have joined forces to develop the continent's first interceptor missile capable of destroying ballistic targets in space, Reuters reports.
Leading defense manufacturers signed a landmark agreement in Paris to launch a project called Bliksem EXO, which aims to develop a sovereign exo-atmospheric interceptor.
The consortium includes some of Europe's most influential defense companies:
- France's Thales;
- aerospace giant Airbus;
- MBDA Deutschland;
- technology company Safran;
- aerospace startup Destinus.
The partners intend to move quickly and plan to sign a legally binding agreement within the next three months.
Sovereignty from the US
Europe is racing to plug critical gaps in its air and missile defense while reducing its reliance on US-made Patriot systems. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated that the threat posed by ballistic missiles is real. EU leaders recognize these risks and want to secure their own defense capabilities, the report says.
Intercepting Russian missiles in space
Unlike aircraft, long-range ballistic missiles leave the Earth's atmosphere and spend most of their flight in space. Conventional air defense missiles cannot intercept them there.
The new European interceptor is designed to operate outside the atmosphere, allowing it to destroy incoming ballistic threats at a safe distance from populated areas. The first space-based tests of the exo-atmospheric interceptor are scheduled for 2027.
Background
Nine European countries, together with Ukraine, have established an anti-ballistic missile coalition by signing an agreement in Paris. The decision comes amid growing concerns over Russia's increasing use of ballistic missiles.
Ukraine is also actively developing its own ballistic missile capabilities. Fire Point has unveiled its FP-7.x interceptor missiles, which are being developed for the future Freyja air defense system.
The company has also presented the Freyja concept as a pan-European anti-ballistic shield that would be jointly owned and operated by partner countries.
