Macron Sees China as Key to Ukraine Conflict Resolution
BERLIN – As Germany activated its new long-range anti-missile shield,the Arrow system,on Wednesday,French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the importance of Chinese cooperation in achieving a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The german deployment,the first of its kind outside of Israel,is intended to bolster European air defense against potential Russian threats.
the Arrow 3 missile system, developed jointly by Israel and the United States and operational since 2017, will allow Germany to defend against long-range ballistic missiles at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers, according to luftwaffe Inspector Holger Neumann. The project is slated for full deployment by 2028 and will ultimately cost Germany 3.8 billion euros.
The commissioning of the Arrow system complements germany’s existing European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), which integrates Iris-T missiles for short-range defense and American Patriot systems for medium-range capabilities. ESSI currently includes 24 nations, notably excluding France, which advocates for a European-sourced air defense system. Berlin has prioritized rapid deployment of defenses in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, launched in early 2022.
Meanwhile, Macron’s comments highlight a separate diplomatic track, emphasizing Beijing’s potential role. Israeli officials present at the Arrow system’s activation noted the system has intercepted “dozens of ballistic missiles” in the Middle East over the past two years. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated the deployment demonstrates Berlin “takes responsibility” and “strengthens the European pillar of NATO.”
