US approves sale of Israel’s Arrow-3 missile defense system to Germany for $3.5 billion

Europe, Middle East, News, US August 18, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States has approved Israel’s request to sell its Arrow-3 missile defense system to Germany for $3.5 billion, making it the largest single defense deal in Israel’s history.

Israeli Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant received a notification from the U.S. Department of State about the administration’s decision to approve the deal with Germany for the purchase of the defense system.

According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the full contract of $3.5 billion will be signed by the end of this year after final approval from the parliaments of both countries. If approved, the Arrow-3 defense systems will be delivered to Germany by the end of 2025.

The Arrow-3 defense system is jointly developed and manufactured by the Israeli defense forces and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The program is led by Israel Aerospace Industries. The Arrow-3 air defense system is a mobile system that can be shifted anywhere based on threats. It can intercept ballistic missiles in space outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

Israeli Defense Minister Gallant hailed the decision and said, “This is a significant decision, which will contribute to Israel’s force buildup and economy. It is also particularly meaningful to every Jewish person that Germany is acquiring Israeli defense capabilities.”

Gallant added that “Arrow 3 is a groundbreaking system, the most advanced of its kind in the world, as well as a force multiplier in Israel’s air defense, soon in Europe as well.”

*^{A model of Israeli Arrow-3 missile on display at Hatzor Airbase, in Israel, on March 3, 2018. (Image Credit: Ben Hartman)}*

Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor also praised the U.S. decision and termed it a historic day for the country. “For the first time, an Israeli system will protect the skies of Germany and Europe as a whole,” he said on his social media account.

Prosor mentioned that “A deal of this magnitude would not have been possible without an intensive diplomatic effort. The close cooperation with our German colleagues on this exemplifies the depth of the strategic relationship between Israel and Germany.”

German parliament’s defense committee chairman Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said that she is very relieved about the United States decision to approve the sale of the Arrow-3 missile defense system. She told the German press agency dpa that “It will be operational by the end of 2025 and, on our initiative, will become part of a European air defense system.”

Germany has paced its efforts to modernize its military, particularly its air defense capabilities due to increasing security threats to Europe, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.