Can W Europe defend civilian targets?

[uk 75]

During the Cold War NATO Nikes and Hawks or Bloodhounds in the UK were designed to defend military targets like airbases. Cities were generally unprotected.

Patriots and now Asters can bring down missiles but is it realistic to deploy enough of them to defend cities rather than airbases?

 

[Dilandu]

During the Cold War NATO Nikes and Hawks or Bloodhounds in the UK were designed to defend military targets like airbases. Cities were generally unprotected.

Patriots and now Asters can bring down missiles but is it realistic to deploy enough of them to defend cities rather than airbases?

Over what exactly area, against what type of missiles and against how many missiles? Israel experience generally demonstrate that its possible to create sturdy anti-ballistic defense over relatively compact area. But Israel missile defense is much more dence than likely anyone else in the world right now. And it still succeptible to attrition.

 

[Scott Kenny]

During the Cold War NATO Nikes and Hawks or Bloodhounds in the UK were designed to defend military targets like airbases. Cities were generally unprotected.

Patriots and now Asters can bring down missiles but is it realistic to deploy enough of them to defend cities rather than airbases?

Not over European distances.

You could defend London or Berlin, maybe, at the cost of the entire Israeli air defense system.

Iron Dome et al works because Israel is ~100km wide.