Missile trial in the North Atlantic

The German Navy conducted a live firing trial of the Israeli-made LORA ballistic missile system in the North Atlantic overnight into Wednesday. Two German frigates deployed to maritime waters between Ireland and Iceland to execute the operation, which remained classified during planning before naval authorities issued public warnings to maritime and air traffic 45 days in advance. At least two missiles were launched from an F125-class frigate during the exercise. Military officials reported that the weapon system and the projectiles met all operational test parameters. Navy Inspector Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack described the test as an achievement for the naval service.

“With the successful firing of a ballistic missile last night in the North Atlantic, we wrote naval history.”

Kaack also noted the operational capability demonstrated by the participating crews during the exercise.

“Our units can successfully deploy the system, and its potential range exceeds anything we have seen before.”

Technical capabilities and operational profile

LORA, an acronym for Long Range Attack, is a containerized short-range ballistic missile developed and produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The system delivers a conventional warhead weighing between 400 and 600 kilograms over operational distances spanning 430 to more than 500 kilometers. Unlike Germany's existing air-launched Taurus cruise missiles, which fly at low altitudes following terrain contours, LORA climbs steeply into the upper atmosphere before descending at supersonic speed onto its target. Terminal navigation relies on combined GPS and optical guidance, achieving an accuracy radius of ten meters across its maximum range. The containerized launch unit can be mounted on naval combatants, mobile ground vehicles, or deployed from military aircraft.

International deployment and procurement plans

Israel Aerospace Industries began developing the LORA system in the early 2000s and initiated international marketing in 2013. The missile has seen operational service with the Israeli military, including airborne strikes carried out against targets in Iran earlier this year, as well as combat deployment by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Indian Navy introduced the weapon into its maritime arsenal in 2023, while Greece signed an acquisition contract in December 2025 to become the first European Union operator. The German Ministry of Defence is evaluating a formal purchase of the Israeli system to address an existing gap in sea-based precision land-strike weapons. Any procurement agreement will require formal budgetary review and approval by the German Bundestag.

Deterrence posture and arsenal expansion

The naval test follows increased security concerns in Berlin regarding Russian military actions in Europe. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt publicly blamed Russian services on Tuesday for an attempted drone attack containing explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Germany currently possesses no ballistic missiles in its operational inventory, maintaining an existing stockpile of approximately 600 Taurus cruise missiles deployable from Tornado and Eurofighter combat aircraft. The Bundeswehr is preparing to start production of an upgraded Taurus NEO cruise missile in 2029 featuring extended range, improved electronic countermeasures shielding, and advanced seeker technology. German defence planners are also exploring the acquisition of American Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of striking targets at distances exceeding 1,000 kilometers.