Breaking News: Germany & Israel Prepare Reception of Arrow 3 Air Defense Missile System in First European Export
JERUSALEM – Israel and Germany have begun preparing to deliver the Arrow-3 missile shield to German forces in the coming months, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defence.
ARROW 3 ABM – Specifications Overview
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Exo-atmospheric Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) |
| Developer | Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing (USA) |
| Operator | Israel Defense Forces (IDF); Germany (purchased in 2023) |
| Role | Intercept and destroy long-range ballistic missiles in space |
| Guidance System | Hit-to-kill kinetic interceptor with Electro-Optical sensors and GPS |
| Propulsion | Two-stage solid-fuel rocket |
| Range (estimated) | 2,400+ km |
| Altitude (Kill Zone) | Over 100 km (exo-atmospheric; in outer space) |
| Speed | Hypersonic – estimated over Mach 9 (approx. 11,000+ km/h) |
| Warhead | None (hit-to-kill mechanism) |
| Interception Accuracy | Very high; designed for direct impact |
| Radar System | EL/M-2080S “Green Pine” (Super Green Pine) phased array radar |
| Launch Platform | Ground-based, mobile or silo-based launcher |
| Deployment Time | Fully operational in Israel since 2017 and in Germany by 2025–2026 (under contract) |
| Key Features | Kinetic kill vehicles operate outside the atmosphere and neutralise nuclear threats |
Notable Capabilities
The Kinetic Kill Vehicle specifically designs itself to intercept nuclear and conventional ballistic missiles in the upper atmosphere or space.
It collaborates with Arrow 2, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome to form a multi-tiered It has the capability to counter missile defence systems.
The system is capable of combating intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and other long-range threats.
It provides boost-phase and midcourse defences, thereby reducing the risk of debris falling on populated areas.
According to an agency statement, officials recently held a “high-level coordination meeting” in Germany with Moshe Patel, chief of the Israel Missile Defence Organisation; Col. Carsten Koepper, head of the Arrow 3 programme for Germany; and Yaakov Galifat, general manager at manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries.
According to the statement, representatives from Israeli companies ELTA and Elbit Systems, as well as German tech consultancy IABG and missile maker MBDA, attended.
The Arrow-3 deal with Germany is Israel’s biggest defence contract ever, worth $3.5 billion. The US government approved the deal as a co-developer in August 2023, and final approval came at the end of November that year.
The German acquisition occurred against the backdrop of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, prompting German defence planners to strengthen their countries’ defences in the event of a Russian attack on Europe. The German Army set the first delivery milestone for Arrow-3 defence systems at the end of 2025.
Conclusion
On November 9, 2023, the Arrow-3 system conducted its first operational intercept against a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebel group.
The system’s capability to handle multiple missiles was demonstrated on April 14, 2024, during an Iranian attack on Israel, when the weapon intercepted dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles, according to the Israeli government.
The Arrow-3 exoatmospheric defence system intercepts ballistic missiles in space. The system operates by directly striking the target and destroying it with kinetic force.
In contrast, the Arrow 2 system’s warhead contains a proximity fuse that uses an explosive charge to destroy the target missile. Arrow-3 is also faster and lighter than Arrow-2, weighing almost half.
References
- Israel Ministry of Defence – Arrow 3 Export to Germany
- Boeing and IAI Arrow 3 Partnership
- Defense News Today – Arrow 3 Intercepts
- MBDA Missile Systems Germany
- ELTA Systems – Green Pine Radar
- Elbit Systems Ltd,
- IABG Defence Consultancy
- Arrow 3 System Overview – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance
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