Germany to Acquire Israel Arrow-3 Air Defense Missile Systems

 

According to information published by the Israeli newspaper website "The Jerusalem Post" on, during a phone call that was held on Thursday, the Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz discussed with the German Ministry of Defense Christine Lambrecht about the sale of the Israeli-made Arrow-3 air defense missile system.

Following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces, Germany has launched a new defense program to increase the command and control capabilities of the German Air Force, including the acquisition of a new air defense missile system able to counter Russian threats and especially tactical and ballistic missiles.

In April 2022, the head of the German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz told The Jerusalem Post that Germany won approval from Jerusalem and Washington to purchase the Arrow-3 air defense missile system. In the beginning, Germany has shown interest to acquire the Iron Dome counter artillery air defense system, but according to the recent information about the Russian threats, the Arrow-3 will be more efficient to counter Russian missiles.

The Iron Dome was designed to counter short-range rockets and 155 mm artillery shell threats with ranges of up to 70 km in all weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, dust storms, or fog while the Arrow-3 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes of over 100 km at a range of up to 2,400 km.

The Arrow 3 is an anti-ballistic missile defense system jointly developed and produced by Israel and the United States for long-range threat engagement. It entered into service with the Israeli Air Force in 2017.

The Arrow 3 interceptor is part of the Arrow Weapon System (AWS) which is the world's first operational, national, stand-alone ATBM (Anti Tactical Ballistic Missiles) defense system. Based on the uniquely effective Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, the Arrow modular air defense system detects, tracks, intercepts and destroys incoming TBMs carrying a range of warheads and over a large footprint, thereby protecting strategic assets and population centers.

The innovative Arrow interceptor is designed to intercept and destroy the newest, longer-range threats, especially those carrying weapons of mass destruction.