10 European Countries Declare Development of Anti-Ballistic Missile Technology

The US military conducted a test firing of a Patriot missile system that can track and attack drones, cruise missiles and short-range tactical ballistic missiles. (US Army doc)

JAKARTA - A total of 10 European countries announced the formation of a coalition to develop "purely defensive" ballistic anti-missile capabilities in Europe.

The Coalition's declaration was in Paris and was followed by Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, on Monday, July 13 local time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed his country's support for the coalition and its reasons for preventing increased pressure on Russia to end the war, which has now entered its fifth year.

"We believe that European protection requires a global solution in the form of an integrated missile defense architecture to prevent and defeat future missile threats," Zelensky said at the declaration, quoted by AFP.

"By bringing together our defense industrial base, our research, and our operational experience, we aim to build a common ballistic missile defense capacity for Europe," he continued.

"We are doing this not to fight against anyone, but to defend ourselves," he added.

At least 25 heads of state are scheduled to attend the meeting in Paris, with some staying on for a military parade marking France's national holiday on July 14, which this year will highlight support for Ukraine.