Air defense: Air Force inspector takes over the first parts for Arrow 3

The Arrow 3 anti -aircraft system planned for Germany is progressing and, according to the Air Force, is on schedule. During a visit to the company premises of the manufacturer IAI in Tel Aviv, the inspector of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, took over the first parts, said a spokesman for the Air Force. It is the central communication element of the weapon system.

This year, the Air Force wants to achieve the first operational readiness of the modern rocket system. A gap in defense should close. The “arrow” can destroy anxious rockets at up to over 100 kilometers, i.e. outside the atmosphere and in the beginning of space. This should make enemy rockets as largely ineffective as possible. So far there has been no such ability in the highest interception layer.

Arrow should stand at three locations in Germany

“With Arrow 3, Germany procures an Israeli weapon system on my initiative that will help protect Germany against threats from the air,” said Gerhartz of the German Press Agency.

The first of three locations in the fire units will be the Holzdorf Military Airport in eastern Germany, south of the capital. Construction work run there.

The Federal Government wants to invest more in air defense. Germany also initiated an initiative for a European air defense system (European Sky Shield Initiative/Essi) – a consequence of the Russian attack war against Ukraine.

Inspector takes over a NATO headquarters

Gerhartz is to take command over the Air Force in the next few weeks and then switch to a top post in NATO. He becomes commander at the head of the NATO headquarters in Brunsum (“Allied Joint Forces Command”), one of two operational headquarters of the alliance in Europe.

The general, who maintains professionally close contacts to the Middle East, said: “My first trip abroad as an inspector of the Luftwaffe was the visit to Israel in 2018 shortly after my takeover and now after seven years I come back here for my last trip. It closes a circle.”