DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇹 Austria /Conflict & Security

Test succeeds as Germany seeks to deter Russia with missiles

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • A German frigate successfully test-fired Israel’s Lora ballistic missile system in the North Atlantic after two German frigates deployed to waters between Ireland and Iceland.
  • The German navy wants to advance procurement plans for the missile, which has a range of more than 500 kilometers.
  • Officials describe Lora as a new maritime deterrence capability alongside the Taurus cruise missile, amid concern among allies about possible Russian aggression.

A German frigate has successfully fired an Israeli ballistic missile in a previously undisclosed test in the North Atlantic, prompting Berlin to advance plans for acquiring the system. The Lora missile can strike targets more than 500 kilometers away and is intended in part to deter Russia.

Two German frigates moved into waters between Ireland and Iceland for the trial. Preparations remained largely secret, although authorities publicly warned shipping and aircraft traffic 45 days before the test. A navy spokesman confirmed that the test had succeeded.

By successfully firing a ballistic missile in the North Atlantic last night, we have made naval history. I am extremely satisfied with this achievement.

— Jan Christian KaackThe German Navy Inspector described the successful test of the Lora missile system.

“By successfully firing a ballistic missile in the North Atlantic last night, we have made naval history. I am extremely satisfied with this achievement,” said German Navy Inspector Jan Christian Kaack. He said the system could be deployed successfully from German ships and that its potential range “exceeds everything we have known so far.”

The system can be successfully deployed from German ships, and its potential range exceeds everything we have known so far.

— Jan Christian KaackKaack highlighted the system’s range and maritime deployment capability.

Kaack added: “To protect Germany and our allies, this trial opens a new chapter in maritime deterrence and defense readiness.” Lora, whose name stands for Long Range Attack, was developed and produced in Israel. It launches from a container and can be deployed relatively quickly aboard ships.

The purchase would form part of Germany’s military programs launched after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Lora system would give the Bundeswehr a second rapidly deployable weapon for attacking distant land targets, alongside the Taurus cruise missile. Unlike Taurus, which flies close to the ground while following terrain contours, Lora rises steeply and follows a ballistic trajectory.

To protect Germany and our allies, this trial opens a new chapter in maritime deterrence and defense readiness.

— Jan Christian KaackHe presented the test as part of Germany’s defense and deterrence efforts.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog