Defence ministers of ten Nato allies have launched a multinational initiative to explore a ground-based air defence (GBAD) modular solution.
A letter of intent (LoI) has been signed by ministers of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK for the development.
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The project is part of the expanding multinational High Visibility Projects (HVPs) portfolio, which is supported by Nato to deliver defence capability for alliance security.
The flexible and scalable GBAD system will be designed based on a common Command and Control backbone.
It will be able to counter very short range, short-range and medium-range threats.
Under the project, a systematic modular approach will be adopted to provide scalable solutions to the participating allies.
The solutions will focus on enabling the allies to develop customised GBAD force packages for individual operations.
Nato Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană said: “This innovative, modular approach will result in a dramatic increase in operational flexibility, scalability and interoperability among ground-based air defence forces.”
Currently, there are 13 projects underway to address key capability areas such as command and control, training structures, ammunitions and high-end acquisition.
Some of the projects are multi role tanker transport capability (MRTT-C), rapidly deployable mobile counter rockets, artillery and mortar (C-RAM), air-to-ground precision-guided munition (A2G-PGM), and land and maritime battle decisive munitions (LBDM).
In June, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance defence ministers have discussed the US’ plans to reduce service members from Germany.
