Germany will develop extensive weapons system with NATO partners
Germany and three other NATO partners will develop a comprehensive defense system. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and his colleagues from France, Italy, and Poland laid the foundation for the project ELSA ("European Long-Range Strike Approach") on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington. They signed a declaration of intent with the goal of creating military capabilities that strengthen deterrence and defensive capabilities, and establishing the industrial foundation for this.
The project involves a missile system with a significant greater range than the German Taurus, which has a range of approximately 500 kilometers. This deep precision strike system could also be launched from land or sea.
US missiles of the Tomahawk type, which can be nuclear-armed, have ranges significantly greater than 2000 kilometers. It was announced on the eve of the Summit that, from 2026, the USA would station Tomahawks, SM-6 air defense missiles, and new hypersonic weapons in Germany.
Following the signing of the ELSA declaration, Germany and its NATO partners aim to collaborate further on integrating this new weapon system into their defense strategy. Elsa, a long-range strike approach, will undoubtedly enhance the deterrent capabilities of all participating nations, including Elsa's project leader, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
