In the course of the current discussions surrounding the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), it is often reported in the media that Austria with the decision in principle of November 15 Austria would participate in all three ESSI phases. However, the uppermost “onion skin” (see diagram) with systems such as Arrow III or Patriot was and is not part of current Sky Shield considerations.
Lieutenant General Lutz Kolhaus (Deputy Chief of Staff of the German Air Force since July 2023) made this clear to the German Society for Security Policy in October. The plans for the introduction of Arrow III in Germany necessary political constellation with Israel and the USA is “not feasible with 19 ESSI nations”, according to Kolhaus (see also the video below, the part from 00:30:30 to 00:33:30 is particularly interesting). What’s more: In the Armed Forces is currently only planning for medium-range ground-based air defence (GBAD-MR) – since 30 November, by the way, also by means of an approved project intention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlqG9N_N_X8
As confirmed by Militär Aktuell at an ESSI information event in parliament on December 5 and before that at an air force symposium in Tulln on November 22, this means that the air force is currently working at full capacity, both financially and in terms of personnel. What’s more, the “2032+ build-up plan” with an investment sum of around 17 billion euros does not cover ground-based air defense with ranges of more than 50 kilometers – such projects would therefore have to be specially financed, as recently confirmed to us by Planning Director Major General Bruno Hofbauer. Incidentally, the army estimates that the acquisition of short and medium-range air defense systems alone will cost around two billion euros. Following the above-mentioned government agreement on the procurement of a long-range air defense system (a law on this has been announced), there is now at least a “green light” for the army to start planning accordingly. However, according to current estimates, it will only be possible to enter the procurement phase from around 2027. Systems such as Patriot PAC-3 (USA) and Arrow 3 III (Israel/USA) could then be used, but it is not yet possible to estimate which system would be procured and when a domestic long-range missile defense system could be active.
To make it clear once again in conclusion: There is currently no ESSI purchasing, utilization or training community that you could join if you wanted to increase your long-distance capabilities. Such considerations are therefore purely nationally motivated.
