ESSI – European Sky Shield Initiative

Multi-layered defence

The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) aims to ensure the future security of European air defence. 21 countries have already signed up to the initiative. With the TRML-4D and SPEXER 2000 3D MkIII radars, HENSOLDT already provides a significant part of the required radar technology.

Air defence as an urgent challenge

After the Russian invasion in Ukraine, air defence has become a topic of considerable importance in public discourse in Europe.

As a consequence, 15 nations have signed a letter of intent to pursue the European Sky Shield Initiative in October 2022.

Another six nations have since joined the initiative. ESSI aims to strengthen European air defence by accelerating joint procurement.

To ensure fast progress, the ESSI members intend to jointly procure, use and maintain the relevant systems.

Medium range defence with IRIS-T and TRML-4D

The IRIS-T-SLM overall system by Diehl Defence is one of ESSI's flagship technologies and is an integral part of the initiative's medium-range defence. Alongside a tactical operations centre and launchers for the guided missiles, HENSOLDT´s TRML-4D radar is the most important component of the air defence missile system.

TRML-4D has already been reliably proving its detection capabilities against Russian attacks in Ukraine for more than two years now. Based on the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) techology, it guarantees the rapid detection and tracking of around 1,500 targets within a radius of up to 250 kilometres.

It is capable of quickly and reliably recognising and tracking all types of air targets - cruise missiles, rockets, drones or aircraft - and classifying them for engagement.

Radars on-the-move

Another HENSOLDT radar in the Skyshield initiative is Spexer 2000, which can reliably detect threats at close and near range and is one of the leading radars for defence against unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Spexer 2000 3D MkIII variant will now become part of the new Skyranger anti-aircraft gun armour. Contracts for the first procurements have already been signed.

A major operational advantage of this radar is the high quality of target classification and the ability to precisely track targets while travelling or in flight.

ESSI is an important initiative for closing the capability gaps in Europe’s air defences. However, further effort is needed to ensure the success of the initiative.

There is still a long way to go until then, but HENSOLDT is ready to make its contribution.