Test of the Arrow 3 weapon system conducted by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, July 2019 (Photo: Israeli Ministry of Defense)
The State of Israel is set to begin delivering its advanced Arrow 3 aerial defense system to Germany in 2025, two governments announced on Sunday. The $3.6 billion military deal marks the first deployment of the Israeli-developed aerial defense system outside of Israel.
The discussion to secure the deal took place at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and was led by the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), part of the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D).
“The meeting included two days of discussions with participation from Israeli defense industries, including IAI, Elbit Systems, and MBDA Deutschland GmbH,” the Ministry of Defense said in an official statement.
“The IMDO at the DDR&D continues to lead the development and production of Israel’s aerial defense layers while strengthening ties and cooperation with international partners in missile defense and supporting Israeli defense industries,” the Defense Ministry added.
In June 2023, Germany expressed interest in acquiring the Israeli aerial defense system to boost its defenses amid deteriorating ties with Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In September 2023, just one month before the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack, Israel signed a formal letter of commitment to deliver the Arrow-3 system to Germany. At the time, then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised the close military ties between Germany and Israel.
“Since the establishment of our ties, Germany has contributed greatly to Israel’s security. Today we are proud to do the same for Germany – a strategic ally and European leader,” Gallant stated.
The defense minister noted the dramatic change in relations between Germany and the Jewish people since World War II.
“Only 80 years since the end of the Second World War, yet Israel and Germany join hands today in building a safer future, for both nations,” Gallant stated.
During the past year of war with Iran and its terrorist proxies, the Israeli Arrow system has proved its capabilities in defending the Israeli airspace against incoming hostile aerial projectiles. This has only strengthened the Arrow deal with Germany.
In October 2023, the Arrow defense system successfully intercepted a ballistic missile and other aerial projectiles fired by the Iranian-backed Yemenite Houthi terrorist militia on Israel.
“The detection systems of the Air Force followed the trajectory of the missile and intercepted it at the most suitable operational time and location,” the Israeli military stated at the time.
In April, the Israeli aerial defenses and an American-led coalition neutralized most of the 120 ballistic missiles that Iran fired at the Jewish state.
On Oct. 1, the Arrow aerial defense system successfully intercepted the vast majority of the 180 Iranian ballistic missiles, marking one of the largest missile attacks on a single country to date.
Strong international defense partnerships play a critical role in enhancing Israel’s security and ensuring its ability to counter emerging threats.
Germany has delivered advanced submarines and military vessels to the Israeli Navy.
In April 2023, the Israeli Navy announced that three out of its four advanced German-built Sa’ar 6-class Corvettes were deployed to defend the State of Israel.
At the time, Maj.-Gen. Eli Sharvit, a former commander in the Israeli Navy, assessed that the German-built military vessels would play an important role in defending Israel’s assets at sea.
“The mission of defending Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone and strategic assets at sea is the primary mission of the Israeli Navy,” Sharvit stated.
