German Bundestag Approves Funding for Gepard Successor: New Air Defense System for Land Operations in Sight

The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag has given the green light for the allocation of financial resources for the production of prototypes of the much-anticipated air defense system designed for close and immediate area protection.

This crucial approval marks the initiation of the project focused on creating a sophisticated air defense system, with the primary platform being the Boxer wheeled tank.

To address existing gaps in ground-based air defense capabilities, this initiative aims to develop a system capable of shielding troop formations against aerial threats and effectively detecting and neutralizing drones.

Rheinmetall, Diehl, and Hensoldt are expected to complete the system's development by 2026-2027, as per reports.

The core components integral to this network for close and immediate area protection are expected to include a command post, fire control tanks, radar devices, and anti-aircraft missile tanks. Specifically, the anti-aircraft defense components will be based on the GTK Armored transport motor vehicle, utilizing the IRIS-T SLS (Infra Red Imaging System–Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled, Surface Launched Short Range) ground-to-air variant missiles.

The Budget Committee has earmarked a substantial €1.23 billion for the development of the initial prototypes of these critical components. This financial commitment will be sourced from the Bundeswehr special fund initially, with further funding to be incorporated into the regular defense budget as the project progresses. The timeline for the completion of a fully functional prototype of the air defense system is set for 2028.

The decision to invest in this air defense system comes after the disbandment of the army's anti-aircraft defense force. The Gepard anti-aircraft gunner, a former mainstay in accompanying tank and armored infantry troops, played a pivotal role in protecting against low-altitude attacks from aircraft and helicopters until its decommissioning in 2010. Recent events in Ukraine underscore the importance of such mobile and protected air defense systems, with decommissioned Gepard tanks being reactivated and deployed to combat air threats during Russian aggression.

The German Bundeswehr had previously employed the Roland weapon system as an anti-aircraft missile tank designed to counter low-flying aircraft. However, it was retired from service in 2005.