The Ukraine war convinced Germany of the need to expand its missile defenses. Israel and Germany are now signing an initial agreement – the starting signal for the Arrow 3 project.
Germany and Israel have agreed in writing on Berlin’s purchase of the Arrow 3 missile defense system. The defense ministers of both countries, Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Joav Galant, signed a corresponding declaration of intent in Berlin.
“It is, without exaggeration, a historic day for our two nations,” Pistorius said after the signing. The Russian attacks in Ukraine showed how important air defense is. “Air defense is essential and especially for us in the middle of Europe.”
Arrow 3 begins production
The system is intended to offer Germany and its neighbors better protection against possible missile attacks in around two years. The purchase from Israel also brings “new dimensions to our already unique bilateral cooperation,” said Pistorius. The procurement authorities of both countries also signed a contract to start production of Arrow 3.
The guided missiles can be used to destroy long-range enemy missiles at an altitude of over 100 kilometers outside the Earth’s atmosphere with a direct hit. According to Israeli figures, the cost of the system amounts to almost four billion euros. It is the largest arms deal in Israeli history.
Israel’s Defense Minister Galant said both countries “made history today with two simple signatures.” Germany has strongly supported Israel’s security, “today we are proud that we are doing the same for Germany, our strategic partner.”
Germany today is a different Germany
Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, “this is a moving moment for every Jew.” As the son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, this is also personally moving for him. Israel’s current relationship with Germany shows “that nations can change their path.” Germany is a different Germany today.
The USA gave its ally Israel permission to sell the defense system last month. Arrow 3 was developed jointly by Israel and the USA.
In June, the Bundestag’s Budget and Defense Committee voted in favor of the purchase. The money is said to come from the 100 billion special fund that was approved in response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Full capability by 2030
According to the Ministry of Defense, Germany wants to achieve initial operational readiness (“initial capability”) within around two years. One of a total of three systems should then be ready for use. The so-called full qualification is planned for 2030.
Galant was received with military honors during his visit to Berlin. Before his return trip to Israel, he wanted to visit the Holocaust memorial “Gleis 17” in Grunewald on Friday. The memorial commemorates the approximately 10,000 Jews who were deported from Berlin to concentration camps by train during the Nazi dictatorship. Galant’s mother, a Holocaust survivor from Poland, died in May at the age of 88.
Source: Stern
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