The Arrow‑3 was selected over European competitors such as the French‑Italian SAMP/T and the German‑U.S. IRIS‑T SLM because it offers earlier interception, longer engagement ranges, and the ability to neutralize threats before they re‑enter the atmosphere.
By Hezy Laing
The deployment of Israeli Hetz, or Arrow, anti‑missile batteries in Berlin represents one of the most significant defense collaborations between Israel and Germany since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965.
The system delivered is the Arrow‑3, jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, and capable of intercepting ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers.
Germany signed the procurement agreement in August 2023, with a total contract value estimated between €3.5 and €4 billion, making it the largest defense export deal in Israel’s history.
The first batteries began arriving in 2025, with Berlin chosen as the initial operational site due to its political centrality and vulnerability to long‑range missile threats.
Germany sought the Arrow‑3 because of growing concerns over Russian missile capabilities following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russian systems such as the Iskander‑M and Kinzhal hypersonic missile demonstrated that Germany lacked an exo‑atmospheric interceptor capable of protecting major cities.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that the country required a proven, high‑altitude system rather than relying solely on medium‑range defenses.
The Arrow‑3 was selected over European competitors such as the French‑Italian SAMP/T and the German‑U.S. IRIS‑T SLM because it offers earlier interception, longer engagement ranges, and the ability to neutralize threats before they re‑enter the atmosphere.
Its integration with NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense network also allows Germany to contribute to continental defense rather than depending exclusively on allied systems.
The Arrow‑3 fits into Germany’s broader European Sky Shield Initiative, launched in 2022 and joined by more than twenty European states, which aims to build a layered missile‑defense architecture.
Germany already operates Israeli‑made Heron TP UAVs, leased from Israel Aerospace Industries since 2018, and has expressed interest in acquiring the David’s Sling medium‑range interceptor, which Finland purchased in 2023.
Berlin’s adoption of the Arrow‑3 signals a shift toward rapid procurement of field‑proven systems rather than waiting for long‑term European development programs.
German officials have stated that the system will protect not only Berlin but also neighboring NATO states through shared radar coverage and early‑warning data, making the Arrow‑3 a central pillar of Europe’s emerging missile‑defense shield.
