Breaking News: Germany & Israel Prepare Reception of Arrow 3 Air Defense Missile System in First European Export.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed on June 5, 2025, that Israel and Germany havee launch preparations for the delivery of the Arrow 3 air defense missile system to the German armed forces in the coming months. This milestone marks the operational beginning of the largest defense export deal in Israel’s history and reinforces the strategic alliance between the two nations amid evolving missile threats facing Europe.
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The Israeli Arrow 3 air defense missile system interceptor was test-fired during a live trial, showcasing its exo-atmospheric interception capability. The system is now set for its first deployment in Europe following Germany’s acquisition and delivery preparations launched with Israel in June 2025. (Picture source: Israeli MoD)

The delivery preparations of the Israeli-made Arrow 3 follow the landmark defense contract signed on August 17, 2023, under which Germany committed to procuring the Arrow 3 air defense missile system from Israel in a deal valued at approximately $3.5 billion. This agreement, signed by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius, was backed by approval from the United States, which co-developed the Arrow 3 alongside Israel. The contract represents a turning point in Israeli-European defense cooperation and provides Germany with one of the most advanced exo-atmospheric interception systems in the world.

The recent coordination meeting in Germany brought together top defense officials and industry leaders, including Moshe Patel, Head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), Colonel Carsten Koepper, the head of the Arrow 3 Program for Germany, and Yaakov Galifat, General Manager of IAI’s MLM Division. Senior representatives from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), ELTA, Elbit Systems, as well as German defense firms IABG and MBDA, participated in technical and logistical planning to ensure the timely and effective integration of Arrow 3 into the German defense infrastructure.

Arrow 3 is a cutting-edge exo-atmospheric missile defense system designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase of their trajectory, outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It forms the uppermost layer of Israel’s multi-tiered air defense network, which also includes Iron Dome and David’s Sling. Developed by IAI in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, Arrow 3 uses a hit-to-kill kinetic interceptor to destroy incoming threats in space, thereby minimizing the risk of debris falling on protected areas.

The system features a solid-fuel booster, high-speed maneuverability, and a powerful radar and command-and-control integration provided by ELTA and other subcontractors. Arrow 3 is specifically designed to counter threats such as nuclear-capable ballistic missiles and emerging hypersonic platforms, giving it strategic significance in modern missile defense doctrine. Its intercept range exceeds 2,000 km, and it is capable of engaging targets at altitudes of over 100 km, enabling wide-area defense coverage.

This is the first time the Arrow 3 missile defense system is being exported and integrated into a European military force. The German procurement marks a historic deployment for the system, positioning Germany as the first NATO nation to field an Israeli-developed exo-atmospheric interceptor. This elevates Arrow 3's relevance in the global missile defense landscape and enhances NATO’s deterrence capabilities against long-range threats.

The Arrow 3 deal with Germany is also the largest defense export contract in Israel’s history. Its scale and strategic scope reflect growing European reliance on proven missile defense solutions, and the agreement strengthens bilateral defense-industrial ties. The deployment of Arrow 3 on European soil is expected to serve as a force multiplier for NATO’s evolving air and missile defense architecture.

The system has already demonstrated operational combat effectiveness. During missile attacks on Israel on April 14 and October 1, 2024, Arrow 3 successfully intercepted long-range ballistic threats launched from Yemen by Iranian-aligned Houthi militants. These real-world engagements validate the system’s maturity and effectiveness, underlining the urgency and strategic relevance of its upcoming deployment in Germany.

For Germany, the Arrow 3 air defense missile system acquisition is a central pillar of its multi-layered missile defense plan under the European Sky Shield Initiative. It is expected to protect German territory, critical infrastructure, and contribute to collective NATO security, offering long-range interception coverage across Europe.

This historic defense partnership not only underscores Israel’s emergence as a leading missile defense provider but also reinforces European strategic autonomy through allied cooperation. With delivery scheduled to begin in the coming months, Arrow 3 will soon form a cornerstone of continental missile defense, and Army Recognition will continue providing exclusive updates on its integration and fielding.