Germany conducts secret ballistic missile test — Tagesspiegel
Photo: The German Army may receive new weapons to combat ground targets (Getty Images)
On the night of September 2, the German Navy secretly and successfully tested an Israeli LORA ballistic missile in the North Atlantic. Plans to acquire these missiles will now be accelerated, according to the Tagesspiegel.
Two German frigates were deployed to conduct the tests in the waters between Ireland and Iceland. Preparations for the tests were conducted largely in secret, although shipping and air traffic were publicly warned 45 days.
"Last night's successful launch of a ballistic missile in the North Atlantic made naval history. I am extremely pleased with this achievement. Its potential range exceeds anything we have seen before," says Navy Inspector Jan Christian Kaack.
The agency explains that the LORA is a ballistic missile developed and manufactured in Israel, which the country has used on multiple occasions. These missiles are delivered in a launch container, allowing them to be deployed relatively quickly from ships.
These missiles have a range of over 500 km. If Germany purchases them, the German military will gain a second readily available weapon for engaging ground targets. The first is the Taurus cruise missile.
"The acquisition of this system will be part of the arms programs launched after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, aimed at containing Russia," the agency adds.
Important to know
Recently, Russia has been carrying out hybrid attacks on Europe, particularly on Germany, staging provocations using drones and other means.
In this regard, Wolfgang Kubicki, leader of Germany's Free Democratic Party, states that Berlin should threaten Russia with the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine if the Kremlin does not stop its hybrid attacks on German infrastructure.
