The system will consist of several echelons to intercept different types of missiles from different altitudes, possibly combining the Israeli Arrow 3 air defense systems, as well as the American Patriots and the German Iris-T, Bloomberg writes...

At least 15 countries, mostly NATO members, including Britain and the Netherlands, have signed a letter of intent to join a long-term German project to build a European missile defense shield that would strengthen the defense of much of the continent.

The system will consist of several echelons to intercept different types of missiles from different altitudes, possibly combining the Israeli Arrow 3 air defense systems, as well as American Patriots and German Iris-T, Bloomberg writes.

Countries that include Germany, the Baltic states, Finland, Norway and others want to engage in this effort together to close air defense gaps, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht told reporters on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels. It's about interoperability, about being able to support each other, so it's a win-win situation for countries that are part of it.

Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, as well as Slovenia and Belgium also signed the letter.

Lambrecht said other countries could also eventually join the plan, which is still in its early stages. It has to overcome production bottlenecks and supply delays in many private-sector companies. Lambrecht said they are open to all and know that many countries are interested, adding that Germany has already entered negotiations.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz first announced the missile shield in a speech in Prague in August; he said the country would invest heavily in its air defense in the coming years as the continent has some catching up to do.