A German warship has fired an Israeli-made LORA ballistic missile during a live test in the North Atlantic, with the German Navy saying the launch demonstrated a strike capability with a potential range beyond anything it had previously operated.

German media reports, citing a German Navy spokesman, said two German frigates had deployed to waters between Ireland and Iceland for the test on Tuesday night. Images from the exercise show a containerised launcher positioned on the deck of a German vessel. The messaging here could hardly be clearer.

By disclosing a test that had deliberately been kept secret, NATO was sending a direct signal to Moscow: European forces are developing longer-range strike options, and not every capability will be visible before it is ready. NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum said the test had been kept secret until after it was completed and involved a German frigate firing the missile in the North Atlantic.

The command stated: “Kept secret. Now revealed. The German Navy just tested the Israeli LORA ballistic missile from a German frigate in the North Atlantic — quietly, deliberately and with a range of 500+ km.”

It added: “NATO 3.0 looks like this: Europe is taking more responsibility, building serious capabilities and keeping a few cards close to the chest. Deterrence just got a little more interesting.”

Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy, said: “With the successful launch of a ballistic missile last night in the North Atlantic, we made naval history. I am extremely satisfied with this achievement.”

Kaack added that the system “can be successfully deployed from our units, and the potential range exceeds anything we have known before.”

In his original statement, the German Navy chief said the trial opened a new chapter for maritime deterrence and readiness, stating that the system could be operated successfully from German units and that its possible reach exceeded previous German naval capabilities.

The test was conducted with Israel Aerospace Industries’ LORA, or Long-Range Artillery Weapon System. According to IAI, the missile has a range of around 400 kilometres and an accuracy of within 10 metres, while NATO’s public account of the German test referred to a range of more than 500 kilometres. Israel Aerospace Industries said the missile was launched from an operational German vessel equipped with a command trailer and launcher. According to the company, the missile followed its planned trajectory, navigated to the target and successfully struck it, with both the weapon system and missile meeting the objectives of the trial.

Boaz Levy, Chairman of IAI, said: “This is an unprecedented achievement for IAI and the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The successful trial of the LORA missile, launched from a naval vessel and striking its target with exceptional precision, took place overnight in Germany – the country where the world’s first ballistic missile was developed.”

He added: “This trial demonstrates Israel’s technological strength and the unique cooperation between Israel and Germany. It marks another significant achievement alongside the deployment of the Arrow 3 system on German soil, further strengthening Germany’s defense and deterrence capabilities and deepening the strategic partnership between our two countries.”

IAI chief executive Guy Bar Lev said: “Israel Aerospace Industries is proud to take part in strengthening the strategic cooperation between the State of Israel and the Government of Germany. This significant milestone is underscored by the operational live-fire exercise (OPEX) of the LORA system, one of the world’s most advanced and combat-proven ballistic missile systems.”

The German Navy is using its OPEX initiative to trial technologies and operational concepts as part of its Marine 2035 and Beyond programme. The process is intended to allow new systems to be tested rapidly under conditions intended to resemble operational use as closely as possible.

The North Atlantic launch comes as Germany expands its investment in long-range strike and air and missile defence. The country has also begun fielding the Israeli-developed Arrow 3 ballistic missile defence system as part of its wider effort to strengthen national and NATO defensive capabilities.

Craig Langford
Craig Langford
Trained as a mechanical engineer, Craig took an unconventional route into journalism, bringing with him a rare technical precision and analytical depth that continues to set his reporting apart.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. The UK is investing £700 million alongside Germany over the next four years in deep strike weapons. Priority will obviously be on a 2000km range conventional cruise missile but reports are that they are also looking at follow on ballistic missile and hypersonic glide vehicle program to be land, air and sea launched.

    It very much sounds like they are developing a European version of Dark Eagle/PSM or DF21.

    This could be the most important capability to completely replace the US in the NATO structure at both conventional and nuclear levels. Offering the UK and Europe a sovereign ballistic missile capability able to replace even trident if need be.

  2. It is also a potential alternative if submarines become a lot more traceable with drone vessels and ai. Always good to have a plan B.

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