German Navy tests Israeli LORA ballistic missile in North Atlantic

The German Navy successfully conducted a live test of the Israeli-made LORA (Long-Range Artillery Weapon System) ballistic missile in the North Atlantic. The exercise, involving the F125-class frigate Sachsen-Anhalt, was conducted in waters between Ireland and Iceland.

Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy, described the event as a moment of naval history, noting that the system provides a potential range exceeding any previously operated by the force. While the German Ministry of Defense states the LORA system has a range of approximately 500 km, the manufacturer, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), cites a range between 90 and 430 km.

The missile is a 1,600 kg projectile that utilizes GPS and inertial navigation to achieve a circular error probable (CEP) of 10 meters. The test was kept secret until its completion, a move NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum suggested was a deliberate signal regarding Europe's developing long-range strike capabilities and increased responsibility in regional deterrence.