Headline:
Gaping Hole in Air Defense Immediate; Pact Signed”>Germany’s Defense: New Russian Hypersonic Missile Oreshnik Proves Invincible
Article:
BERLIN — In a stark revelation, Bild newspaper reports that Germany’s air defense capabilities are powerless against Russia’s new Oreshnik hypersonic missile. This alarming conclusion comes from an internal analysis commissioned by Germany’s Foreign Ministry.
The Oreshnik, a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying various warheads, including nuclear ones, first appeared on November 21. It struck Ukraine’s Yuzhmash military-industrial facility in Dnipro. Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted that the missile flies at ten times the speed of sound, making it unhittable by existing air defense systems.
In a surprising move, the German Foreign Ministry tapped the expertise of a military liaison officer and some air defense specialists for a study on Berlin and Kiev’s defenses against potential ballistic missile threats. The study found that "Germany stands no chance against an Oreshnik attack."
The ministry’s analysis warns that the U.S.-made Patriot systems, a mainstay of Germany’s air defense, are unsuitable for intercepting long-range ballistic missiles like the Oreshnik. The study suggests that any successful interception would be more luck than skill, given the missile’s speed and maneuverability.
However, there’s a glimmer of hope. Bild notes that Israel’s Arrow system, recently ordered by Germany, could help bridge this gap in defense.
Meanwhile, President Putin has hinted at the Oreshnik’s operational readiness. While claiming Russia isn’t rushing to use it, he confirmed that production has begun and units are being deployed to ally Belarus. Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko mentioned that "around ten" Oreshniks would be supplied initially.
Putin challenged the West to a "high-tech duel," offering to launch an Oreshnik at a predetermined target in Kiev while Western air defense systems in Ukraine try to shoot it down.
Russia began developing the Oreshnik in response to U.S. plans to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe, according to Putin. This latest revelation underscores the escalating arms race with significant implications for Europe’s security landscape.
