Israel is one of the leading countries in missile defense, now Germany is buying Arrow 3, the country’s latest system. How the anti-missile missiles can improve the protection of Germany and Europe.
It was a “nice twist in history that an Israeli anti-missile defense system is now supposed to protect Europe,” the “Welt” recently commented when it became clear in June that the German armed forces would acquire “Arrow 3” – a system of so-called anti- Missile Missiles. In this context, the paper referred to the long history of arms exchanges between the West and the Middle East: such as the delivery of French Mirage III jets to Israel during the Six-Day War. Or years earlier, in 1948, when Czechoslovakia sent replica German Messerschmidt fighters to the nascent state. Both times the Israelis won.
Israel ‘proud to protect Germany and Europe’
In a way, Israel is now retaliating, with the country’s Berlin ambassador, Ron Prosor, cheering on X (formerly Twitter): “This is a historic day that marks a turning point in relations between Israel and Germany.” He was “proud that the nation-state of the Jewish people is helping to protect Germany and Europe 75 years after it was founded.”
Because Arrow 3 is a system that the Israeli company Aerospace Industries (IAI) developed together with Boeing from the USA: the two manufacturing countries, the countdown can be heard to swelling violins and the smoke of numerous rockets can be seen: “Israel’s first extra-atmospheric anti- Rocket Rocket” is underneath.
As the name suggests, the system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles launched from above the atmosphere from a distance of up to 2400 kilometers. It is considered powerful enough to also provide protection to neighboring EU countries should it be installed in Germany. The system could thus make a decisive contribution to the European air defense project Sky Shield.
Protection for the military and the population
The Arrow missiles have a significantly higher range than the Patriot air defense system previously used in Germany and the IRIS-T system. Arrow 3 would therefore be an addition to the existing German missile defence: The system consists of a command command post, radar devices, launch devices and guided missiles and is able to detect attacks, track enemy missiles and destroy them. This is intended to protect large areas such as military bases or population centers.
The missile was first deployed at an Israeli air force base in 2017. At that time, a specimen had taken a Syrian S-200 rocket of Soviet design from the sky. Unlike the Iron Dome missile defense shield, which protects Israel primarily from attacks from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the Arrow system is designed to ward off long-range missiles. Israel uses it to protect itself from attacks from Iran or Syria. According to the IAI, Arrow 3 has a “very short reaction time” and can also fend off the most modern offensive weapons.
Israel’s arms production has long been known for the Uzi submachine gun. In the 1980s, the country began developing anti-ballistic missiles. At first, artillery shells were repelled. In 2010, the “iron dome” was added to protect against attacks from the Gaza Strip with Qassam garage rockets. The latest generation of the defense shield is able to intercept nuclear-tipped missiles.
The protective shield, which is to be paid for from the 100 billion euro “Bundeswehr special fund”, costs almost four billion euros. Around 20 billion euros of this will flow into major projects next year. In addition to Arrow 3, this is the purchase of transport helicopters, fleet service boats, and ammunition. By the end of this year, Germany and Israel want to seal a binding contract for the delivery of the system.
The USA, as a co-producer, also had to give the green light for the deal, which they have now done. The agreements on arms exports provide for this. Germany also had to approve the transfer of Leopard II tanks to Ukraine.
Stationed in four states
In Germany, the base is on the border with Saxony-Anhalt, mostly in Schönewalde (Brandenburg). Two more of the systems are to be stationed in Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria.
A year ago, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced his intention to procure a missile defense shield for Germany in response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. In June, the budget committee already provided 560 million euros for a pre-contractual agreement. The system should be operational in Germany by the end of 2025.
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However, the Arrows system has the disadvantage that each defense missile costs more than a million euros. It is unsuitable or too expensive for attacks with cheap drones or small rockets. Therefore, as in the Ukraine, Iris-T-SLM is and will remain in use.
New infrastructure, new staff
A completely new infrastructure with new personnel will be built for the defense system that will be delivered to Germany, said Moshe Patel, Arrow development chief in the Israeli Ministry of Defense. An initial operational capability of the system is planned by 2025, with full operational capability by 2030. The Israeli Air Force will be involved in the process and will share its experiences with using Arrow 3.
Sources: “”, “”, DPA, IAI on Youtube, .
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
