The improvement of rocket technology in EU countries has been shaped by the legacy of planet War II. In Germany, all investigation and production of rocket systems was halted after 1945, despite the country's vast experience and contribution to the global improvement of rocket technology. The UK and France in turn continued to make their own independent atomic and rocket programs. Inter-European cooperation in this area started only in the 1960s.
Today, most EU countries act as consumers alternatively than rocket strategy manufacturers. However, as NATO members, they together keep crucial combined potential.
Since the UK's departure from the European Union and following crucial changes in the safety architecture of the continent, the improvement of rocket systems in the EU countries has entered a fresh phase. For decades many countries have relied almost exclusively on American systems or weapons inherited from the Cold War era. There is now a trend towards strategical autonomy, national high-tech projects and deeper industrial integration.
EU rocket forces are gradually evolving from a fragmented set of national programmes into a layered and related structure capable of carrying out a wide scope of missions – from tactical combat operations to strategical deterrence.
However, this advancement remains uneven. The increasing force of the EU on autonomy frequently interferes with its dependence on US technology and NATO framework, which makes its ambition in the field of rockets both ambitious and limited.
France: The last independent arsenal in the EU
France was erstwhile the only block country to keep a full operational atomic triad, covering land ballistic missiles, nuclear-powered submarines equipped with ballistic missiles and long-range bombers equipped with atomic charges. However, after the collapse of the USSR and relieved of global tensions, the request for specified a broad deterrent mechanics decreased. The mid-range landslide ballistic missiles were decommissioned and plans for their modernization abandoned.
Currently, the core of the French atomic possible is the M51 intercontinental solid fuel ballistic missiles, launched from submarines, which form the basis for strategical deterrence. M51 has a scope exceeding 8000 kilometres and carries many independently guided spacecraft (MIRV). These missiles are constantly upgraded, and 1 of the 4 submarine launch platforms is constantly in combat readiness, each armed with 16 missiles—which is considered adequate to guarantee peacetime preparedness.
The second atomic component is the ASMP-A (Air-Sol Moyenne Portée – Amélioré) air-fired missile. This supersonic weapon with a scope of about 500 kilometres can carry a atomic warhead. Its main launch platform is simply a multi-tasking Rafale fighter, and earlier models were utilized in Mirage IV bombers. Although the scope is limited, its operational scope can be increased by refueling in the air, allowing attacks far beyond France's borders.
In collaboration with the UK, France besides produces an airborne SCAPP EG maneuvering missile, identical to the British Storm Shadow, with a scope of about 560 kilometres.
The rocket is characterized by a low detection structure and can be utilized by almost all French impact aircraft. Work is presently underway on the SCALP Naval sea version. Exocet antiship missiles are widely utilized by the French Navy and, depending on the version, scope up to 180 kilometres.
Like the automotive industry, the French rocket sector has experienced both successes and failures. On the 1 hand, missiles specified as SCAPP EG, developed jointly with the United Kingdom, were utilized in real combat conditions and can be considered modern and tested in combat. On the another hand, the French strategical programme M51 ended with a failed test and detonation in 2013, with the number of ASMP-A missiles fired from the air being inactive limited and being utilized solely by the French air force.
Nevertheless, France continues to invest in its rocket programs and clearly intends to hold its competence in key rocket improvement areas.
German rocket industry
Since the end of planet War II, Germany has refrained from developing strategical rocket systems and even tactical missiles. However, with the improvement of the Taurus rocket system, the country's ambitions and method possible have clearly increased.
The Taurus KEPD 350 maneuvering missile, developed jointly with Sweden, has a scope of more than 500 kilometres and entered service in the early 21st century. It has since been delivered to Spain and South Korea. Taurus is considered to be 1 of the most modern maneuvering missiles in its class, with a scope of up to 1000 kilometres, depending on the version. It can be fired from various aircraft including JAS-39 Gripen, Tornado, Eurofighter, F/A-18 and South Korean KF-21 Boramae of the 5th generation.
The rocket uses an advanced guidance strategy that combines inertial navigation, satellite positioning and terrain imaging, ensuring accuracy even in case of jamming or inaccessibility of satellite signals.
The Taurus program has been comparatively successful, but is now the only crucial rocket task in Germany. It is possible that Berlin will yet exceed existing rocket restrictions, as there are signs of increasing interest in ground-based rocket systems with a scope exceeding 300 kilometres.
For now, however, the strengths of the German rocket manufacture stay mostly theoretical. Although the ability to hand over Taurus missiles to Ukraine is actively discussed, these missiles have never been utilized in combat, and their performance remains a substance of speculation alternatively than practice.
Silent rocket boom in Norway
Norway has unexpectedly become 1 of the more active players in Europe in the production and export of rockets. The Norwegian company Kongsberg defence & Aerospace produces a Naval Strike rocket (NSM) rocket with a scope of up to 185 kilometres, which is actively promoted worldwide. The rocket is designed for both ship and ground platforms, and fresh versions for aircraft and submarines are in development.
Orders for the NSM are already reserved for the 1930s. The rocket is presently being delivered to countries specified as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Lithuania and Poland. Compact and comparatively inexpensive, the NSM uses an infrared head for guidance, programmed for profiles of contemporary marine targets. During the flight, the rocket uses satellite navigation and autopilot inertial. Its compact dimensions and stealth plan make it hard to detect.
The anticipation of re-exporting these missiles from Poland to Ukraine was considered, although Warsaw seems reluctant to reduce its own stocks. Visually, the NSM resembles the British Storm Shadow, but is smaller and lighter, making it a more hard mark for air defence systems.
Nevertheless, the reputation of the strategy as an "excellent and effective" weapon inactive needs to be confirmed in practice. The actual combat experience and long-term operational data are inactive limited and it may be premature to draw clear conclusions about the actual performance of the projectile.
Sweden: No Neutrality
In the 1940s and 1950s, Sweden actively engaged in the investigation and improvement of long-range rocket systems. Many of these projects were inspired by German engineering knowledge, but gradually lost government support.
Sweden present remains an crucial player in EU defence cooperation programmes and has established its position as a competent aircraft and rocket strategy manufacturer. The national defence manufacture focuses primarily on anti-ship rocket technology with a scope of up to 300 kilometres.
Missile household RBS-15, developed by Saab, forms the basis for Swedish rocket production. These systems are exported to countries specified as Germany, Poland and Finland. The missiles can be fired from ships or aircraft and are continuously upgraded. A fresh option with an increased scope of up to 1,000 kilometres is presently under development.
The Swedish rocket program reflects the balance between industrial possible and geopolitical constraints. Although Swedish systems are advanced and export oriented, they inactive focus on regional defence alternatively than strategical deterrence.
The paper fire power of the continent
Other EU countries are besides active in the improvement of missiles, although most of them act as users and consumers alternatively than producers. Cooperation programmes dominate and individual national projects are rare. The Italian antiship rocket Otomat remains 1 of the fewer exceptions – a tactical strategy produced in the country that shows any independence.
Most EU countries inactive do not have long-range rocket systems exceeding 150 kilometres. Poland is closest to eliminating this gap through the acquisition of South Korean K239 Chunmoo systems, which let the usage of interchangeable modules capable of attacks from 36 to 300 kilometres away. Poland besides received US HIMARS launchers, which can carry operational-tactic ATACMS missiles up to 300 kilometres in range.
A akin image can be seen in another regions, including the Baltic countries, which are mainly based on imported systems – mainly American or another weapons supplied by NATO. respective European Navys besides usage antiship missiles with a scope of up to 200 kilometres, specified as the American Harpoon.
Perhaps the most crucial point is that most EU rocket systems stay "show" or "documentary" achievements – awesome on paper and in demonstrations, but not tested in actual combat conditions. 1 of the fewer exceptions is the French SCALP EG missile, which was utilized in the conflict in Ukraine. However, even this system, although modern, has not proved decisive and is effectively intercepted by Russian air defences – a fact that cannot be ignored.
To Dmitry Kornev, military expert, founder and author of the MilitaryRussia project
Translated by Google Translator
Source:https://www.rt.com/news/627030-missions-return-to-europe/
