German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday vowed to enhance his country's air defense capabilities.“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has deployed missiles even in Kaliningrad, only 530 kilometers (329 miles) away from Berlin. Not responding to this appropriately would have been negligence,” he said at a ceremony at a military base in northern Germany. Scholz said today German military has started to operate its first IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defense system after training was successfully completed at the Todendorf military base. “This is an important step for the security of our country, as air defense was neglected for a long time. At the same time it is an important step for European security,” he said. “I would like to thank all those working with us to enhance our European air defense, as a visible contribution to strengthening the European pillar of NATO,” he added. The IRIS-T systems from the German manufacturer Diehl Defence are known for their effective performance against aerial threats originating from aircraft, missiles and drones. The IRIS-T SLM systems deployed in Ukraine have shot down more than 250 Russian missiles and drones to date, with a hit rate of over 95%, according to company officials. Scholz noted that the German military will acquire five more IRIS-T SLM systems in the coming years, and they will be deployed as part of an integrated air defense system, under the European Sky Shield Initiative. He also reiterated that Germany is planning to host long-range US missiles from 2026 onward, as part of plans to strengthen European security and defense. “I would like to say to all those who have doubts about this decision that our sole aim is to deter potential attackers. Every attack on us must mean a risk for the attacker. Our aim is to secure peace here, and to prevent war, nothing else,” Scholz said.
