Germany to Install Elbit Missile Defense Systems on Aircraft Designed for State Officials
The installation on government aircraft will be carried out in phases to ensure that the three planes do not go out of service at the same time
Germany will install missile defense systems on three new planes designated for transporting senior leaders, the newspaper "Der Spiegel" reported last Friday. According to the report, the German Defense Ministry is expected to submit an agreement on the matter to the parliamentary budget committee for approval by the end of the year. Reuters also reported on this.
The three A350 aircraft, mainly used by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, will be equipped with an infrared system that will be installed on the body of the aircraft. This system will be able to disrupt the guidance systems of incoming missiles using laser pulses, according to the "Der Spiegel" report.
The last of the three planes was delivered to the German military in June of this year. The German Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment and did not address how other government planes are protected from missile threats.
The advanced technological system intended for installation on the A350 aircraft was developed by the Israeli company Elbit, in collaboration with Lufthansa Technik.
This system is already installed on many military transport planes, and the installation on the government planes will be carried out in stages to ensure that the three planes are not out of service at the same time.
