Germany to deploy Israeli Arrow 3 defense system to neutralize Iran missile threat.

Germany is preparing to officially deploy the Israeli-made Arrow 3 missile defense system later this week, marking the first deployment of the system outside Israel. This $3.6 billion agreement highlights Germanys continued arms procurement from Israel, coinciding with the lifting of a temporary weapons sale ban to Jerusalem following the recent Gaza conflict.

A statement from Germany's Defense Ministry in late 2024 noted that a high-level meeting took place at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), led by the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The discussions involved Israeli defense firms including IAI, Elbit Systems, and MBDA Deutschland GmbH, focusing on deploying Arrow 3 before the end of 2025.

Key participants in these discussions included IMDO Director Moshe Patel, Colonel Carsten Koepper, head of the Arrow 3 project for Germany, and Guy Bar Lev, head of IAIs Missiles and Space Division. Representatives from IAIs MLM Division and Elta also joined the meetings.

The Arrow 3 system was first used operationally on November 9, 2023, to intercept a missile fired at Eilat by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. Developed in collaboration between Israel and the United States, the Arrow systemincluding Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptorsis designed to counter long-range ballistic missile threats, with IAI as the lead contractor.

Although the contract to supply Germany with Arrow 3 was signed in 2023, the systems effectiveness in 2024 and 2025 reinforced the deal. In April 2024, the Arrow intercepted the majority of 120 ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel. In October, it intercepted a smaller percentage of 180 missiles, with some hitting Nevatim and Tel Nof Air Force Bases, though no pilots or aircraft were lost. Reports suggest Israel may have allowed some missiles through after evacuating personnel and assets.

During a 12-day conflict with Iran in June 2025, Arrow 3 again intercepted a high percentage of incoming missiles. While 28 Israelis were killed and many more wounded, the system limited overall physical and economic damage compared to the total 550 missiles fired.

The Israeli Defense Ministry emphasized in 2024 that the IMDO at DDR&D continues to lead the development of Israel's aerial defense network while strengthening cooperation with international partners in missile defense.

The final agreement for the German deployment, signed in November 2023, concluded a multi-year process delayed by coordination between Israel, Germany, and the United States, the latter of which must approve the system as a co-developer.

The Arrow 3 is described as a cutting-edge system for intercepting exo-atmospheric ballistic missiles. It successfully performed operational interceptions during conflicts with the Houthis, who launched missiles against Israel from Yemen under Iranian directives.

The system is co-developed by Israels IMDO and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). IAI is the main contractor, while Elbit Systems manages the command and control system, and Tomer and Rafael Advanced Systems serve as primary subcontractors for the Arrow 3 interceptors.

Author: Sophia Brooks