Germany's Pistorius: NATO protects Europe from Iranian missiles

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Friday dismissed fears about the range of Iranian missiles, which could theoretically reach European targets, saying the continent was safe due to the NATO defence alliance.

Europe is "safe, especially as Germany is not defending itself alone within air defence but in the context of the NATO air defence forces," Pistorius said during a visit to an Australian barracks near the east-coast metropolis of Brisbane.

He also referred to the deployment of the Arrow 3 air defence system procured from Israel, which would be operational soon.

"That is a huge leap forward. I still remember the critical voices when we procured it. They said there were no missiles at all that the thing would have to intercept," Pistorius said.

Iranian missiles can reach as far as Europe

Arrow 3 is intended to be able to destroy hostile missiles even at a high altitude of more than 100 kilometres, a capability the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, does not yet have.

The Schönewalde/Holzdorf air base, located on the border between the German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg, with a training area is the first of three planned Arrow sites in Germany.

Pistorius said the range of Iran's balllistic weapons systems was already known.

"Of course, in theory these missiles can reach Europe. But we knew that, to be honest, even before. The question is with what warheads and with what precision. That is why we trust in the NATO defence capability put together jointly."

The defence minister also noted that the guided missiles for the US Patriot system would soon also be manufactured in Germany by the defence contractor MBDA.

"But we cannot speed that up any further either, to say it openly. That was set in motion early on."