European Sky Shield Initiative facts for kids
Founding members (2022) Joined in 2023/2024
|
|
| Type | Regional Military Initiative |
|---|---|
| Established on | 13 October 2022 |
| Members | |
| Area | 3,697,779.6 km2 (1,427,720.7 sq mi) |
| Population | 382,234,470 |
The European Sky Shield Initiative (often called ESSI) is a big plan to build a strong defense system across Europe. Imagine a giant shield made of different types of missiles and radars that can protect countries from attacks by planes, drones, and even very fast missiles. As of 2024, 22 European countries are part of this important project.
Why Europe Needs a Sky Shield
The idea for the European Sky Shield Initiative came from Germany's leader, Olaf Scholz, in August 2022. This happened when there were worries about attacks on cities and important buildings in Ukraine. Countries in Europe realized they needed better ways to protect themselves from modern missiles.
In October 2022, fifteen European countries decided to join this plan. These countries included Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, and the United Kingdom. Many of these countries are also members of NATO, a military alliance. The ESSI aims to make NATO's existing air defense even stronger.
More countries have joined since then! In February 2023, Denmark and Sweden became part of the project. Later, in July 2023, even countries that usually stay neutral, like Austria and Switzerland, decided to join. This shows how important they think this defense system is for everyone's safety.
Not all countries have joined yet. France has suggested different ideas, preferring to use more European-made defense equipment. Countries like Poland, Italy, and Spain are still deciding.
How the Sky Shield Works
The European Sky Shield will use different types of defense systems to protect against various threats. Think of it like layers of protection, each designed for a different distance:
- Short range: For threats very close by, like drones or helicopters. The Skyranger 30 system is planned for this.
- Medium range: For threats a bit further away, like some airplanes or missiles. The IRIS-T SLM system is a main part of this layer.
- Long range: For threats far away, like bigger missiles. The MIM-104 Patriot system is used here.
- Very long range: For threats that fly very high, even outside Earth's atmosphere. The Arrow 3 system is designed for this kind of protection.
Germany's leader hopes this system will be ready in the next few years. In 2023, Germany decided to buy the Arrow 3 missile system from Israel to help build this important defense.
-
Diehl IRIS-T SLM-Launcher
-
Hensoldt Radar TRML-4D for IRIS-T SLM
-
MIM-104 Patriot-Launcher with PAC-3 MSE-Rockets
-
Raytheon LTAMDS-Radar for MIM-104 Patriot
-
IAI Arrow 3-Launcher
-
EL/M-2080 Green Pine-Radar for Arrow 3
See also
In Spanish: Iniciativa Europea de Protección del Cielo para niños
- Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
- Iron Dome
- Strategic Defense Initiative
- National Missile Defence
- NATO missile defense system
