The Israeli-American “Arrow 3” missile defense system is to be delivered to Germany for four billion euros. There it is to become a pillar of the NATO protective shield.
For Israel, the “Arrow 3” is an important building block in the country’s defense, for example in the future against possible missiles with nuclear warheads from Iran. Because the defense system can destroy enemy long- and medium-range missiles in the earth’s atmosphere and above it.
In view of the threat of war in Eastern Europe, Germany is now also relying on “Arrow 3” – and has initiated the financing: the system should ultimately cost almost four billion euros. The purchase is being financed from the “Bundeswehr special fund”, which was set up after the start of the war in Ukraine.
Netanyahu: “What an incredible turn of events”
The whole thing would be a success for Israel – so great that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently raised the issue on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting: “As I said to the world leaders and also to Chancellor Scholz: Israel, the Jewish state, will not have another Holocaust allow.”
This turning point for the Israeli people is also reflected in the discussions about the delivery of “Arrow 3” to Germany. In the Holocaust, the Jews were without protection from Nazi Germany. “80 years later, Germany wants to buy defensive weapons from the Jewish state. Back then we couldn’t defend ourselves. Today we help others to defend themselves. What an incredible turn of events.”
In the end, the decisive factor was probably the system’s performance: It can shoot down targets at a height of up to 100 kilometers. In addition to the missiles, a powerful radar is used. “Arrow 3” can be used much more flexibly than its predecessors, said Air Force Inspector General Ingo Gerhartz on Israeli television: “The system has great capabilities – and there is the threat of long-range missiles. We looked at different systems. We have decided on ‘Arrow 3’.”
Arrangements with the USA necessary
Germany had announced that it would also use the system as part of NATO’s missile defense system. Countries like Poland, or Romania and the Baltic states should be able to join in. But before that, a few questions need to be clarified. Above all, it needs the consent of the USA, because not only Israeli armaments companies were involved in the development, but also the US armaments company Boeing, among others.
“Germany has stated that it wants protection for the civilian population. Then, at some point in the future, the system is to be integrated into the NATO protective shield, that is the next step,” said Moshe Patel, head of Israel’s missile defense system. If the Germans wanted to do that, they could use the expertise from Israel and the USA. “The connection of these systems to NATO is beyond my competence. These countries have to clarify all these issues with NATO.”
“Arrow 3” should be operational by the end of 2025
In the end, the purchase of “Arrow 3” is of course also a political question. Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador in Berlin, also speaks of a great success: “The sale of the “Arrow 3″ system enhances the strategic relationship between Israel and Germany, which will reach new heights as a result.”
He welcomes the fact that the political efforts made towards the Federal Chancellor, the Defense Minister and the Foreign Minister have borne fruit and have shown once again that armaments deals require a strong political framework.
For Israel, the “Arrow 3” sale to Germany is the largest arms deal in its history. The country has doubled its arms exports in less than a decade and sold $12.5 billion worth of arms last year. “Arrow 3” should be operational by the end of 2025.