CSU chief supports German 'Iron Dome' missile defense system

8 months ago 10

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

CSU leader Markus Söder calls for German version of "Iron Dome"
German interior minister voices support Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear program

Below is a roundup of stories out of Germany from Sunday, June 29:

Skip next section Dobrindt supports Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear program

06/29/2025June 29, 2025

Dobrindt supports Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear program

During an unexpected visit to Tel Aviv on Sunday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt offered unqualified support for Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear weapons program.

"Iran has been destabilizing this region for years, for decades, one has to say, with its support for terrorist groups to the north, to the south, to the east of Israel," he said.

Dobrindt added that the Iranian nuclear program is "a real threat to Israel's right to exist and a threat to Europe as well."

The German minster said that Tehran had received a clear message that Israel, the United States, and other allies like Germany could not tolerate research on or construction of nuclear weapons.

Tehran insists that its nuclear program is for purely civilian purposes.

Dobrindt made these comments while visiting the site of a deadly Iranian missile attack in Holon with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

He described the attack as an assault on the civilian population and expressed his belief that Iran would use any nuclear bomb it developed against Israel.

Dobrindt said that Germany would continue to do all it could to secure Israel's existence.

https://p.dw.com/p/4weCO

Skip next section CSU leader Markus Söder voices support for German "Iron Dome"

06/29/2025June 29, 2025

CSU leader Markus Söder voices support for German "Iron Dome"

Markus Söder, Bavaria’s state premier and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), called for the acquisition of thousands of drones, new missile systems, and a German version of the "Iron Dome" consisting of 2,000 Patriot systems to protect against potential attacks.

"Germany needs a protective shield with precision weapons," Söder told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that this would include a modern drone army of 100,000 drones and a defense shield similar to Israel's "Iron Dome."

"We should cooperate with Ukraine and Israel and use their experience," CSU leader said.

In addition to drones, Söder called for 300 new battle tanks, 500 infantry fighting vehicles, 35 additional Eurofighter warplanes, and 1,000 more Taurus cruise missiles. He also called for the Bundeswehr to have its own satellites.