arrow 3
US approves sale of Israel’s missile defense system to Germany
Launch of an interceptor missile from the Israeli Arrow 3 system
© Israeli Ministry of Defense / DPA
Germany’s negotiations with Israel about the purchase of a missile defense system began under the impression of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. Now the US has given the green light for the billion dollar deal.
Israel says it has received US permission to sell its Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany. This was announced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on Thursday. This basically clears the way for the billion dollar deal. The ministry said it was the largest arms deal in Israeli history. The US State Department communicated the government’s decision to Israel on Thursday.
US approval was seen as the last major hurdle to the historic treaty between Germany and Israel. Negotiations on this began after the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine began last year. The agreement is now to be signed by the defense ministries of both countries and Israel Aerospace Industries, the statement said.
The Bundestag’s budget and defense committees voted in favor of the purchase in June. According to Israeli information, the costs amount to almost four billion euros.
Money should flow from 100 billion special funds
The money is to be financed from the 100 billion special fund that was passed in response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Arrow 3 was jointly developed by Israel and the United States. It should be operational by the end of 2025. On a German initiative, it is to become part of a European air defense system. As the highest tier of Israel’s multi-tiered missile defense system, it can destroy attacking weapon systems at altitudes of over 100 kilometers. The system consists of command and control command post, radar devices, launch devices and guided missiles.