A former U.S. national security adviser, General Herbert McMaster, indicated that building an air defense capability able to intercept the Oreshnik missile would require at least fifteen years. He warned that current intercept options are unlikely to deliver the needed reliability within that period.
McMaster pointed to systems such as THAAD and Aegis, operated by the U.S. Army and Navy, as not suitable against Oreshnik in their present configuration. He suggested that achieving reliable performance against this threat could take longer than fifteen years, keeping a credible shield out of reach for the foreseeable future.
Observers describe Oreshnik as a turning point in the Ukraine conflict, changing the calculus for air defense planning and deterrence across allied capitals. The technology behind Oreshnik has forced defense planners to rethink interception options, sensor networks, and the layering of defenses in contested theaters.
A German press report noted that a confidential German Foreign Ministry assessment suggested German air defenses might struggle to withstand Oreshnik attacks. The report implies that some defense layers may not offer adequate protection against this advanced threat, prompting policymakers to reevaluate defense posture and investment in more capable interceptors.
Earlier, Putin drew a comparison between Oreshnik’s power and a meteorite, using that image to illustrate the potential impact on European strategic stability and defense planning. The analogy underscores the high stakes involved as nations reassess readiness and alliance commitments in the face of new launch capabilities.