Europe advances in missile defense with HYDIS initiative
The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen European defense cooperation. A key focus of this cooperation is the development of the Hypersonic Defence Interceptor System (HYDIS).
The HYDIS program is a European initiative to create a cutting-edge intercept system capable of effectively protecting Europe's territory, population, key facilities, and deployed forces from threats associated with hypersonic missiles.
HYDIS - research on destroying hypersonic weapons
The initiative is critically important because Europe lacks fully effective defense systems against hypersonic missiles, among the most advanced and complex threats to intercept. This is partly due to the tremendous speed at which hypersonic missiles travel (exceeding 5 Ma, which is over 3,728 mph) and their unpredictable flight trajectory due to their ability to maneuver in the atmosphere.
Moreover, unlike the United States, China, or Russia, Europe does not have such missiles in its arsenal. These countries, considered significant security threats in our region, have several capabilities. The Russians, in particular, proudly showcase their Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles, the Avangard system, Zircon missiles, and the latest Oreshnik missiles.
Europe's defense relies mainly on medium- and long-range missile systems, such as the German IRIS-T SLM, the Italian-French SAMP/T, and the American Patriot system deployed in several NATO countries. However, these systems were primarily designed to counter traditional ballistic missiles and aircraft, not advanced hypersonic missiles.
HYDIS program - anti-hypersonic missile defense for Europe
The HYDIS program began in 2024 and includes a three-year conceptual phase focused on researching, developing, and selecting a practical concept or family of concepts capable of countering hypersonic threats. This phase aims to achieve several key objectives.
These include selecting the most suitable intercept concept and the weapon system architecture, developing the necessary technologies to implement the chosen idea in subsequent program phases, and establishing an industrial network for developing future European missile systems.
The program is managed by the OCCAR mentioned above under an agreement with the European Commissio.. TheIS consortium includes 19 partners and over 30 subcontractors from 14 European countries. These countries have collectively allocated approximately 66 million USD, with an additional 88 million USD coming from the European Defense Fund (EDF).
The core of this system is the American initiative European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), through which the United States deploys its missile defense elements in Europe. An example of this is the Aegis Ashore system, with components located, among other places, at the base in Redzikowo. However, it should be noted that Aegis Ashore uses SM-3 Block IB and IIA intercept missiles, which can counter short- and medium-range ballistic missiles but not hypersonic missiles.
