Laid out originally as a trilateral project, the USA as the major partner have already withdrawn from the plan of purchasing the defense system MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System). Too high were the expected costs, the performance was considered unsatisfactory. After an unsuccessful search for new partners the Federal Government is now facing a decision: whether to continue with the project single-handedly or not. On the one hand proponents are urging to purchase the system as quickly as possible, on the other hand the military mega-project is highly controversial.
In HSFK-Report 8/2014 Die Abwehrwaffe MEADS auf dem parlamentarischen PrüfstandBernd W. Kubbig conducts a thorough examination of the project. His analysis is based on four criteria: (1) Is there a serious threat and would MEADS be the right instrument to fulfill the three main purposes assigned to it? (2) Would MEADS be technically feasible? (3) Would MEADS be financially feasible? (4) Could MEADS contribute to new tensions and arms races? The author points out the weaknesses and blind spots of the assessments made so far and advises forcefully against making hasty decisions under time pressure.
The research study was presented on 18th March at a press conference in Berlin organized by the Heinrich Böll Foundation. The report is available at PRIF for 6€ and as a free PDF download (in German).