Over the past 19 days, close to one thousand missiles have been fired from Russia, Belarus, and the Black Sea into Ukraine resulting in massive loss of life and significant destruction of critical infrastructure. Russia’s unsuccessful land maneuvering warfighting skills and unimpeded missile attacks are the driving forces for the Russian Weapon of Choice that is the ballistic and cruise missile onslaught against Ukraine. The 3M14 Kalibr, the 9M728 Iskander-K cruise missiles, and other Iskander-M and Tochka SRBMs have been fired with impunity from within Russian territory from land and air-based platforms with no Air and Missile Defense capability to stop them. As the war has progressed, Russia has shifted from the precision targeting of critical Ukrainian assets such as command and control centers, sensors, and the Soviet-age S300 missile defense systems, to now dispersing fragmentation munitions and missile barrage in order to cause mass collateral damage and death. The use of multiple ballistic missiles that possess the capability to disperse cluster bombs or multiple warheads results in the indiscriminate targeting of anything that lays in the path of these strikes. As Russian ground warfare is challenged, Russian missiles will escalate for maximum damage to life and property in order to bring Ukraine to sue for peace.
President Biden has clearly stated that every inch of NATO territory will be defended and has announced a trip to Brussels to address NATO in order to bring together the 30 nations in this collective effort. Leading the President’s message are US and NATO Allied Patriot Missile batteries which were recently deployed into NATO bordering countries of Ukraine with the US Patriots going to Poland and the German and Dutch Patriots going to Slovakia. Additionally, the US and several allies and partnered nations have provided Ukraine with hundreds of short-range air defense weapons, specifically the Stinger missile system. These systems must be in place early on to provide defensive fires to critical elements of NATO forces and a credible capability against Russian missiles.
The core of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense strategy has been the implementation of the 2009 European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) with its four-phased deployments in which the US will provide upper-tier ballistic missile defense of Europe, designed to defeat an Iranian Ballistic Missile threat. Two of the four phases of EPAA are operational today. It was not designed to defend against massive strategic retaliation from Russia. It is now time to reconsider the EPAA base document and incorporate a much-needed continental capability against any sort of Russian missile threat.
Listed below are the NATO member nation’s missile defense capabilities:
France possesses ten ground-based road-mobile Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain (SAMP/T) batteries that defend against UAVs, cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles ranging up to 600 km, and fighter aircraft. The SAMP/T is equipped with the Aster missile, of which France also purchased one hundred and twenty to be equipped on their naval vessels. France also possesses two S1850M Radars, two European Multifunction Phased Array Radars (EMPAR), and two Preparatory System for Infra-Red Early Warning (SPIRALE) radars.
Germany is in possession of 3 Patriot/PAC-3 battalions in addition to the Patriots forward stationed by the US as part of the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery. In August 2021, the German Navy announced its plans to equip its F124 frigates with new radars that expand the vessels’ capabilities into the field of ballistic missile defense and is expected to be operational between 2024 and 2028. Germany hosts the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC)- North in UEDEM, responsible for providing regional command and control, and reporting directly to NATO’s Air Command at Ramstein Airbase, Germany.
The United Kingdom utilizes a jointly operated early warning system with the US, Principle Anti-Air Missile Systems (PAAMS), S1850M radars, and SAMPSON radars. The UK also possesses an effective theater-wide anti-ship missile defense in its Type 45 destroyers that can deploy Sea Viper and Sea Wolf anti-ship missile defense interceptors, as well as ship-based Phalanx Gatling guns. The UK also maintains Stormer HVM short-range air defense systems, Starstreak missile systems, and the newly developed Sky Sabre air defense system, which is taking the place of the retiring Rapier FSC system.
Spain hosts 4 U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers that are equipped with SM-3 Block IA and IB interceptors for missile defense. Spain has had the longest forward-deployed Patriot battery and possesses 6 MIM-104 Patriot/PAC-2s, one of which is currently deployed to Turkey. Spain has also been a core US partner in the implementation of IAMD and enhancing NATO interoperability. Spain also hosts the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) -South in Torrejon, responsible for providing regional command and control, and reporting directly to NATO’s Air Command at Ramstein Airbase, Germany.
The Czech Republic maintains a vast air defense capability including a 2021 agreement to purchase the Sypder air-defense system from Israel.
Belgium is in possession of a significant amount of javelin missiles and has also been working to install exoatmospheric interceptors aboard its M-class frigates similar to the US Aegis system. Belgium provides strategic importance to NATO’s missile defense mission as it possesses sea ports needed for inbound shipments of logistics, combat systems, and ancillary equipment to Europe from the West.
Slovakia has a very strong air defense that is made up of SAMs and they actively participate in exercises with NATO. They recently purchased Israel’s multi-mission radar (MMR), the same radar used for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Additionally, a NATO battlegroup being formed for Slovakia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will include 1,200 foreign troops and a Patriot missile defense system manned by German and Dutch personnel.
Hungary acquired NASAMS as their main feature in air and missile defense in November 2020. Additionally they operate3 Selex RAT-31DL Italian radar centers and 11 ELM-2084 Israeli multi-mission radars for detection. Hungary has upgraded their SHORAD capabilities through the modernization of the Mistral MANPADS. Hungary is looking to phase out its 2K12 Kub 2M SAM systems with the acquisition of more NASAMS by 2025. Additionally, Hungary and the U.S. governments have announced a $1 billion deal to equip the European country with new air-defense weaponry including the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile-Extended Range missile.
Denmark oversees two missile defense radar systems, an Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) as part of a Joint-US project in Greenland, and three surface ship Smart-L radars stationed on Huitfeldt-class frigates that provide long-range surveillance and tracking against conventional aircraft and medium-range surveillance and tracking against small “stealth” missiles.
The Netherlands owns one Patriot battalion, fields the NASAMs air defense capability, and holds other short-range air defense systems in its arsenal.
Norway produces the National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) and has exported the system to the US, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Oman, Qatar, Indonesia, and Australia. In 2021, Norway played an essential role in the Formidable Shield NATO missile defense exercises when they were conducted in the strategically important areas off Andøya in the northern part of the Norwegian Sea. During the exercises, Norway also accomplished a first-time launch-and-hit with a surface-to-air missile from the frigate “KNM Fridtjof Nansen”.
Italy participates in the development of MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System), a cooperative effort with the USA and Germany. The system is intended to provide protection of military forces against SRBMs, cruise missiles, and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Italy currently has five Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain (SAMP/T) Theatre BMD Systems, Spada 2000 air defense system, Italy’s Thales S 1850M long-range radar, along with its European Multifunction Phased Array Radar (EMPAR) can track 24 missiles against 12 targets simultaneously. Italy also fields the TPS-77 radar, another system that has been integrated into the European missile defense shield.
Turkey maintains NASAMS, Sea Sparrows, Rapier FSCs, Sea Zenith CIWS, and the HISAR air defense system. Turkey has also hosted Patriot systems from other NATO members for periods of time as its geostrategic location between Iran and Europe is of major importance. Turkey has hosted the AN/TPY-2 located at Kürecik Radar Station since 2012. The early warning radar has been used for various deployments of THADD to multiple NATO countries and for the Aegis Ashore system in Romania.
Greece possesses 6 Patriot/Pac-2 batteries, the S-300, and also hosts the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) on Crete.
Poland and Romania make up the bulk of missile and air defense for the region. As mentioned above, each nation is home to an Aegis Ashore system. Alongside this, Romania possesses older Soviet-era air defense in its SA-2, S-200, and other systems such as the MIM-23 Hawk and CA-95. Poland is home to the SA-6, SA-8, S-200, SA-3, SA-4 ZSU-23-4MP Biala, and ZU-23-2 air defense systems. Both of these nations are in the process of upgrading their respective ADA systems from Soviet-era capabilities to the Patriot weapon system.
Bulgaria possesses SHORAD and s-300 systems. They have hosted several live-fire exercises at the Shabla Training Range complex that have featured Ukrainian Air defense units firing off of Bulgarian s-300 systems.
Croatia plays a large part in the NATO integrated air and missile defense system through its Airspace Surveillance and Control Battalion that reports back to CAOCs in Spain and Germany.
Estonia has been modernizing its air and missile defense in response to Russian military activities. In 2017 the government signed an agreement with Norway to acquire NASAMS and in 2020 requested funding assistance from the U.S. for deployment.
Latvia has also been working with the U.S. and in 2021 successfully tested the rapidly deployable High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (HIMARS) air defense rocket launcher. Latvia has requested Patriot batteries from the US to further strengthen its defenses.
Lithuania, like the other Baltic states, has a large number of stinger and javelin missiles, the former of which it has been sending to Ukraine to assist its air defense efforts.
The Iceland Air Defense System operates four radar complexes, a software and support facility as well as a command and report center but does not possess offensive capabilities.
Canada has purchased an AN/SPY-7 radar to use for SM-2 interceptors for air defense and is also working to establish an SM-3 capability. While Canada has traditionally relied on the US for ballistic missile defense, the An/SPY-7 purchase also included four AEGIS weapon systems, which Canada has cited as a response to the proliferation of hypersonic technology.
Albania operates four sites with Soviet-era SA-2 surface-to-air missiles for point air defense. Similar to Croatia, Albania operates an Air Surveillance Center that reports to NATO IAMD in Spain.
Portugal recently entered an agreement with NATO Support Procurement Agency to acquire eight weapons terminals of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command and Control Systems, and eight tactical armored vehicles to transport them. They currently operate four radar stations across the country for detection purposes.
Slovenia participates in NATO’s Air Policing missions and operates a Control and Reporting Center out of Ljubljana to aid in NATO’s IAMD. Slovenia currently uses the 9K38 Igla MANPAD system for short-range air defense. Slovenia possesses at least 10 radar systems that include the French GM-403, the Israeli El/M-2106, and the Swedish Giraffe 40 early warning radar.
NATO has significant challenges it needs to address to truly be prepared to deter and defend against the Russian missile threat. First and foremost is how thirty nations share and disseminate missile threat information including sensors, warnings, and the tracking of launches, and establishing command and control of all this information to be readily available to all NATO countries. Secondly the clear lack of cruise missile defense capabilities and capacity that are cost effective. There are diverse missile defense assets that NATO can bring together to build a unified architecture. Then it’s a matter of increasing capacity. – the current conflict in Ukraine is a harsh and real lesson in the realities of not having an effective missile defense architecture and is one that NATO must resolve as a 30 nation team. All for One.
