Currently the United States has had a military presence in Germany for over fifty years since the conclusion of the Second World War. But do you think it also means missiles? The US has indeed deployed its missiles to protection these areas in Germany as a result of NATO treaty. These are principally for defence for example the Patriot missile batteries that shield Europe allies. These are evidence of Missiles Germany’s significance in the defense of European region.
In the past Germany due to its geographical position in the middle of Europe played a critical role in Cold War. To explain this we have to look at the context where today the US still deploys missile systems in the country. These systems provide a security guarantee for potential adversaries and increase confidence in collective security among Germany’s allies.
This partnership is not about power, it’s about solidarity and it sends a strong message to Europeans that America is there for them whenever they are in trouble. With these missiles it placed in Germany the US contributes to the equilibrium of forces in Europe and stabilizes the situation in the continent.
Missiles Germany Arsenal
Germany itself has perhaps less of a missile ‘arsenal’ than some other nations, but it does have one nonetheless. Germany follows a defensive posture and the SoM are an essential part of the air defense systems. The nation uses systems such as the IRIS-T and MEADS that are well suited for the protection from airborne threats.
These are complex systems which are used for tracking of projectiles that are fired towards target and to intercept them. The IRIS-T for instance is a thermal air to air missile for short range that has been developed for ground use. The interceptor is central to Germany’s defense framework to ensure command of its airspace and to defend Germany’s skies.
Todays Germany has also made a stand in concerning retaining a strong defence posturing, a stance that is well supported by efforts to upgrade its missile systems. Especially when dealing with advanced technology, Germany guarantees it can adapt in case of shifting threats, protect its interests.
Global Missile Powerhouses
As for missile supplies, certain states are exceptional. The countries with the biggest number of missiles include the USA, Russia and China as shown below. These countries have long spent a lot of efforts in the areas of creating many styles of missiles including ICBMs as well as the cruise missile.
Just looking at how many missiles these countries have as a measure of the might, one can see that this might is really huge. Both missiles are used for defense and, at the same time, enable them to use force across the globe. These countries never for once relax on their innovation and improvement of their missile systems in a bid to remain technologically ahead.
As we have seen, global missile inventories are not only a matter of numerical superiority; the quality is also essential. It is the capacity of getting to the targets, past any defense and then getting the payload right which makes a missile system credible. These regions are headed by the US, Russia and China and so are deemed the world missile power producers.
Inviting the World to Peer into the Most Deadly Missiles
While all the used missiles exist in the world, some are more powerful and capable than the others. Satan 2 or the Russian Sarmat is among the world’s most powerful missile. Fully automated this is an ICBM with capacity to hold several nuclear charges and travel long distances in response to any provocation, it is a deterrence system par excellence.
The second powerful missile is the American Minuteman III. Boosted by this ICBM, the United States has had a three-legged nuclear weapon system for many years. It is highly accurate and very reliable and forms the cornerstone of the United States’ strategic deterrence platform.
Another Chinese formidable missile is named DF-41, it was developed for carrying conventional as well as nuclear warheads and is capable to hit any point of the Earth. It symbolises China’s improving capacity in modifying missile technology and its determination to sustain a strategic nuclear capability.
Reviewing the Patriot Missile Holdings of Germany
Patriot missile system is an integral part of air defense system of Germany and this country possesses this system. The Patriot system has many mindful attributes of intercepting and destroying such threats as ballistic missiles and aircrafts. Germany has numerous Patriot batteries planted in important areas to protect the country from ballistic threats.
Patriot itself is not an isolated means of protected which operates independently but as part of a network of radars, command centers and other defense equipment’s. That integration makes it more effective and guarantees a quick response to the potential risks.
Germany therefore wants to guarantee the security of its airspace and protect its citizen through the Patriot system. On this way, Germany plays its role as one of the European countries and contributes to the security of the European continent through the possession of a powerful air defense system.
The logic of U.S. Missile deployment in Germany
The rationale for putting US missiles in Germany can be said to be strategical. Germany so strategically located in the middle of the NATO in Europe to be part of the defense system. Missiles placed in Germany particularly can contribute to the general improvement of the alliance’s posture and provide efficient containment of possible adversaries.
These deployments act as statements of intent to the NATO collective defense concept. They affirm loyalty of European allies as well as discourage action that may threaten them through showing commitment to protect them.
The US missile deployments also enhance compatibility of efforts amongst NATO forces. NATO members do not just train independently, they train together to achieve interoperability, thereby improving joint efficiency at fighting as a single entity.
Map of world’s leading missile manufacturing companies
The manufacture of missiles is a fragmented market with the leading manufacturers controlling most of the market share. Today some of largest manufacturers of missiles include Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing of the United States. Most of these companies have many years of experience in designing and manufacturing sophisticated missile systems targeting the defense forces globally.
Russian companies similar to the IAI are Almaz-Antey and Tactical Missiles Corporation. They manufacture various types of missiles including air defense with sophisticated strategic missiles.
Some of the Chinese missile producers are China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation company or CASC. These manufacturers are at the heart of Chinese missile advance and are essential for the Pentagon’s military modernization china’s missile makers.
Russia’s Missile Arsenal
Russia has one of the biggest missile inventories, with an extremely wide range of missile types being in its possession. ICBMs, cruise missiles as well as tactical missiles are among the missile possession of this country. The Russian focus on missiles goes back to the Cold War, and it maintains pushing for the improvement of its missiles inventory.
The RS-24 Yars is one of the most promising Russian ICBMs able to carry multiple individual warheads and avoid missile defense. All these features of this missile clearly indicate that Russia wants to retain a credible nuclear deterrent.
But as said Russia’s missile range is not limited to nuclear missile alone. The country boasts of advanced cruise missiles such as the Kalibr, that can be launched from ships or submarines, and do precise hits.
Some Missiles and Their Comparison – Global Missile Defense Systems
Most of the countries have now launched missile defense systems to counter any threat that might come their way. The United States has the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, mobile, at sea having the layered defense against missile attack.
Other types of missile defense systems include; Israel’s Iron Dome. The system proved very useful in shooting down short range rockets, thus offering protection from intervention from hostile neighbours.
The S-400 system designed and developed in Russia reveals excellent performance characteristics in terms of range and countering different airborne threats. They regard it as one of the most sophisticated air defense systems across the world now, and more than one country covet it.
Germans Nuclear Power Possibilities
Germany has no nuclear weapons and it joins the league of nations that have signed the NPT. However, Germany joins NATO nuclear system so that it can engage in Nuclear planning as well as Nuclear training.
Under these provisions, armed German aircraft are understandable insofar as they can transport US nuclear weapons, if needed. Such participation strengthens Germany’s promise to NATO and its function in the protection and preservation of defense.
Germany’s decision not to opt a nuclear weapons conform with the German policy of disarmament and non-proliferation. That way is in line with German interests in maintaining international security and order.
Remaining presence of US troops in Germany
The use of German territories by the US military is still an artifact of the Cold War, still pertinent for NATO, however. The US has several places in Germany to house troops forward deployed and to support NATO operations.
These bases are strategic that provide quick containment of any emergent threats to the USA and NATO partners. Thirdly, US troops are also there to remind European allies of the American word on security in the continent.
The persisting presence of the United States in Germany enhances partnership and integration of NATO partners. They are collective activities that improve the readiness of these forces in the management of new threats as a result of joint operations and exercises.
Estimation of the extent of the US military Housing in Germany
Thus, present day Germany is host to booms of the United States military, with roughly 35000 troops located in the country spread out over several establishments. These troops are from the United States European Command (EUCOM) and have the essential role in the emergence and sustaining of NATO missions and control of stability within the region.
It includes the Ramstein Air Base – the major logistics center in Europe and the Grafenwoehr Training Area, the main training center of the US and NATO.
With the help of such material resources as house building, schools as well as medical facilities, the presence of the US troops in Germany is backed. This infrastructure makes it possible for the US forces to stand willing and able in case of contingencies in Europe.
This paper: The Legacy of US Army Bases in Germany
The US army has had a station in Germany beginning immediately after the second world war. Today the number of bases is rather small, although some important installations are still functioning.
These bases which are strategically vital sustain training and operational contingents of the United States and NATO. They also contain the coordinating centers with partners and allies in Europe.
Despite this reduction on the number of bases, the ones that have remained are critically important. The latter remains essential for deterring adversary’s actions in Europe and for going to specified locations at high speeds when desired.
When thinking of course about the evolution of the German military we can observe that Germany’s military was one of the major fighting forces in World War II.
Germany’s military development process no doubt involved a number of factors that are tied to historical and geopolitical factors. After the end of the Second World War, German military was dissolved and effectively the nation was de-militarized.
After the Second World War Germany rebuild its military power in a controlled manner. The transformation of West Germany military powerless state in to military alliance was achieved with the establishment of Bundeswehr in 1955.
Presently, Germany possesses a professional military capable of being a full-fledged member of NATO and a critical component of the security system in Europe. Despite being a defeated power it boasts of being a responsible military partner today owing to maintaining stability across the world.
Final Thoughts
Location of missiles, presence of the US forces constitute part of security problems of Europe in general, in this case belongs to Germany. They help to maintain stability and security in the region so that Germany and its partners can reliably protect themselves in an unstable world.
Knowledge on the factors that inevitably provoke missiles’ positioning, military cooperation as well as strategies and tactics in the security domain offer substantial knowledge in the security domain. Thus, navigating these fields lets defence buffs, military strategists, and aerospace engineers better understand how it is possible to overcome the main difficulties for providing stability and order in the world.
