Germany Officially Receives Israel’s Long-Range Arrow 3 Missile Defense System
Germany has officially received and activated the first unit of the Arrow 3 system, marking a significant advancement in its national and European air-defense capabilities. The system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is part of a multi-layered missile defense architecture. Arrow 3 is an “exo-atmospheric” interceptor—capable of operating beyond the Earth’s atmosphere—and is designed to detect and destroy high-altitude, long-range ballistic missiles.
Germany acquired this system due to rising geopolitical tensions and growing missile threats across Europe. Arrow 3 is being recognized as a “top-tier defensive shield” in Germany’s air-defense network, offering protection against threats that are larger, longer-range, and higher-altitude than short- or medium-range systems can handle. Its deployment not only strengthens Germany’s security but also adds a new defensive layer to the entire European continent.
The purchase agreement for Arrow 3 was signed in September 2023, with deployment planned at Holzdorf Air Base, located south of Berlin. The acquisition, valued between $3.5 and $4.0 billion (approximately €3.6–4.0 billion), marks the largest defense export deal in Israel’s history. The Arrow 3 system is already combat-proven, having been used to counter ballistic missile and rocket threats in the Middle East. For Germany, this represents a significant leap in long-range defense capability.
On Thursday (December 4), Israel formally handed over the advanced long-range Arrow 3 air-defense system to the German Air Force. The handover ceremony took place at a German airbase south of Berlin. The German government finalized the purchase in September 2023 for €4 billion (US$4.6 billion). Although the exact number of units being procured has not been disclosed, Germany becomes the only country in Europe—after Israel and the United States—to operate this long-range missile defense system.
Israel designed the Arrow 3 as a space-based ballistic missile interception system, or an exo-atmospheric interceptor. According to various international sources, its operational range may reach up to 2,400 kilometers, although Israel has not officially confirmed the exact range. The system’s interceptor missile is believed to be capable of detecting and neutralizing enemy ballistic and intercontinental ballistic missiles at distances up to 2,400 km. Its addition to Germany’s defense infrastructure significantly enhances the country’s long-range deterrence capability.
Deployment of such a dedicated air-defense system in Germany is considered a milestone achievement for Israel’s military technology, as this is the first time Arrow 3 will be fully operational and independently used outside Israel and the United States. Israel, a nation of only 9.1 million people, has already introduced several advanced air-defense systems—Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and now Arrow 3—demonstrating its technological strength.
However, the limitations of air-defense technology became evident during the recent 12-day conflict with Iran. Despite Israeli, American, and allied airstrikes, Iran’s long-range retaliatory attacks caused significant damage inside Israel. This highlighted the fact that no air-defense system in the world has yet achieved 100% effectiveness.
In the final stages of the conflict, Iran’s high-speed hypersonic ballistic missiles penetrated 4–5 layers of air-defense systems jointly operated by the U.S., U.K., Israel, and Arab countries, shocking military observers worldwide.
Ultimately, the recent conflict demonstrated that even the world’s most advanced multi-layered defense systems face major challenges against hypersonic threats. It is now clear that future warfare will require even more sophisticated and integrated defense technologies to counter rapidly evolving hypersonic missile capabilities.
