The next deal? Germany successfully launched an IAI LORA missile

The German Navy successfully conducted a test firing of the LORA ballistic missile manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) last night, as part of an evaluation of the Israeli weapon system ahead of a potential purchase by Germany. The missile was launched from a German warship in the North Atlantic, between Ireland and Iceland. Following the success of the test, the German Navy announced its intention to advance plans to equip itself with the Israeli system.

Preparations for the test were kept secret, but due to the risks involved in the firing, air and maritime traffic in that area had been restricted about a month and a half ago. A commander in the German Navy defined the test as a "historic event in terms of the fleet's capabilities."

"With the successful firing of a ballistic missile last night in the North Atlantic, we have written naval history," he stated. He told the German news agency DPA that the test proved that the system can be operated from German ships and that its possible range "exceeds everything we have known until today."

The main significance of the test is opening the way for the German Navy to equip itself with a precision strike capability against land targets at long ranges. Following the success of the firing, plans to purchase LORA, which has a range of more than 500 km, will now be advanced. The scope of the planned purchase and the number of missiles and launchers that Germany may acquire have not yet been published.

LORA (Long Range Attack) is a precision ballistic missile that can be launched from land-based launchers and from naval vessels. It is designed to strike high-value targets deep within enemy territory. More than a year ago, IAI unveiled the AIR LORA missile at the ILA defense exhibition in Berlin — a version that allows it to be launched from a fighter jet.

The potential deal on the table could narrow a significant gap in the German military in the field of long-range precision munitions. Currently, Germany has the Taurus cruise missile at its disposal, which has an estimated range of more than 500 km and is launched from fighter jets. In Germany, the test is directly linked to the Russian threat and the acceleration of its military buildup plans since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to a German officer, "for the defense of Germany and its allies, this test opens a new chapter in the field of deterrence and defensive readiness at sea." Berlin is also promoting the acquisition of American Tomahawk missiles, with a range of up to 2,500 km, and is simultaneously participating in efforts to develop long-range European systems.

If the purchase is completed, it could significantly expand the defense ties between Germany and IAI. In recent years, Germany has become one of the company's most important strategic customers, especially after the two mega-deals surrounding the Arrow 3 missile defense system, with a total volume of about 6.5 billion dollars. IAI, managed by Guy Bar-Lev and headed by Boaz Levy, is at the center of a defense systems deal signed two days ago with Greece, with a total volume of about 3 billion euros. As part of that deal, IAI and Rafael will build a multi-layered air defense array for Greece, centered on Rafael's David's Sling and Spyder missiles, and IAI and Elta's Barak MX missiles and radars.