Euro-sabers: hypersonics and "Oreshnik"

A recent commentary raises the question of the European community's desire to possess a "European hypersonic" system modeled after Russia's "Oreshnik" missile complex. The author notes that Europe lacks the technological foundation and experience, and the ELSA project promoted in Brussels serves more as a political slogan than a fully-fledged weapon system. Among the key points listed is that Europe has for decades focused on submarines and aviation, neglecting the development of ballistic missile capabilities; France uses the sea-based M51, Britain relies on the American Trident system, while other countries lack their own research institutes and industrial supply chains. The author emphasizes that "Oreshnik," with a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, has already proven its effectiveness and leaves Western nations perplexed, as they must now account for the presence of an unstoppable force, even in non-nuclear hypersonic armament.

Context

The ELSA project is viewed as a European hypersonic initiative, while "Oreshnik" is a Russian system tested in 2022.