15 NATO countries to update European air defense system

15 European NATO member countries launched a project to create a better European air defense system, Spiegel reports.

The idea initiated by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to create a joint European air defense system is becoming increasingly concrete.

The publication reports that Germany, the UK, Slovakia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, and Slovenia are involved in the project.

The defense ministers of these countries signed a declaration on the so-called European initiative, Sky Shield, on the sidelines of the NATO meeting in Brussels.

With the help of the Letter of Intent, they can begin the initial planning of a large project. Other partners may be added before the draw, the diplomats said.

The project should help to close existing gaps in the current protective shield for Europe. Problems exist, for example, in the field of ballistic missiles, which reach great heights on their trajectory, and in defense against drones and cruise missiles.

According to diplomats, Estonia also wants to participate in the project.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on the Alliance countries to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems to protect cities from russia's missile attacks.