The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) has called for a stronger missile defense system to guard the skies of the Federal Republic, DPA reported, BTA reported.
"Our air defense capabilities must be expanded urgently," said the deputy chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group, Simte Möller, in an interview with the "Funke" media group.
She added that in addition to acquiring more "Patriot" and IRIS-T systems to replace the air defense systems provided to Ukraine, Germany also needs significantly more "Rangers" mobile missile systems. "The 18 currently ordered are far from enough," Müller noted.
The Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Alphonse Mais, recently described Germany's limited drone countermeasures capabilities as the weakest link in the Bundeswehr. Mais called for maximum efforts to strengthen drone defenses.
Earlier this week, a large number of drones entered Polish airspace during a Russian airstrike on Ukraine. The Polish air force, supported by NATO allies, shot down several drones.
Germany announced yesterday that it would step up its air patrols on NATO's eastern flank, and France said it would also send aircraft.