“We advise for a good reason”
Scholz is considering buying a missile shield
03/27/2022 11:54 p.m
The Israeli anti-aircraft system “Arrow 3” can destroy long-range missiles high above the ground. Chancellor Scholz now confirms that he is considering establishing such a protective shield for Germany as Russia’s President Putin “is ready to use force”.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is considering setting up a missile defense shield for the whole of Germany based on the Israeli model. “This is definitely one of the things that we advise for good reason,” said the SPD politician on the ARD program “Anne Will” when asked whether, like in Israel, an “Iron Dome” (Iron Dome) over the land is to be clamped. In justification, he said with a view to Russia: “We must all prepare for the fact that we have a neighbor who is currently willing to use violence to assert his interests. That is why we must work together so strongly that this does not happen.”
Scholz did not want to comment on the details yet. “I have decided not to divulge the details of a plan that has not yet been fully discussed here.” The “Bild am Sonntag” had previously reported on the plan. After that, the acquisition of the Israeli system “Arrow 3” is being considered. It is capable of destroying long-range missiles very high above the Earth, well into the stratosphere, the second of five layers of the atmosphere. The Bundeswehr has not yet been able to do this.
According to “BamS”, the costs would be two billion euros. The system would be operational by 2025. After the start of the Ukraine war, Scholz announced a 100 billion euro program to upgrade the German armed forces. On Wednesday he discussed this with Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and Inspector General Eberhard Zorn. According to information from the German Press Agency, defense politicians in the Bundestag wanted to travel to Israel on Sunday and find out about air defense systems there by Thursday.
“Only those who are strong will not be attacked”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier swore the people of Germany to expect difficult times and losses. The severe sanctions imposed on Russia would inevitably bring them, he said in a video message for a concert for freedom and peace by the Berlin Philharmonic at Bellevue Palace. He showed understanding for the fears that arose among many.
“But we can counter the fear with something: our defense and our humanity, our desire for peace and belief in freedom and democracy, which we will never give up, which we will always defend.” He knows that belief in freedom and democracy alone cannot stop a tank. “But I also know this: No tank can ever destroy this belief,” said Steinmeier.
The Chair of the Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, called for significantly more determination in security policy. “Defensiveness, willingness to fight, military capability, that is interdependent. If I make a country fit for military action, i.e. equip the Bundeswehr accordingly, there must also be the will to defend the country in an emergency,” said the FDP politician to the German Press Agency.
“The question now is, do we accept this dramatic challenge, because now it’s about the fundamentals, about democracy and freedom,” said Strack-Zimmermann. “It must finally stop that Germany tolerates intolerance. “There are people and governments who only know clear announcements. Only those who are strong will not be attacked.” In Germany, it is important to always organize civil defense and protection of the infrastructure with the defense. Sirens and shelters have been removed, high-rise bunkers have been converted into luxury apartments.