By the end of 2025, the Arrow 3 missile defence system is expected to be fully operational
Apparently, the United States has also approved the deal, as they were involved in the system’s development. This marks the largest arms deal in Israel’s history.
According to Israel, the United States has granted approval for the sale of the Israeli Arrow 3 missile defence system to Germany, as announced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
This essentially paves the way for a billion-dollar deal, which the ministry claims to be the largest arms deal in Israel’s history. The decision from the US government was conveyed to Israel on Thursday through the US State Department.
The US approval was seen as a crucial step for implementing this historic agreement between Germany and Israel, negotiations for which began following the Russian military offensive in Ukraine last year.
It is now expected that the defence ministries of both nations, along with Israel Aerospace Industries, will sign the agreement, according to the official statement. The Budget and Defense Committee of the German Bundestag had already given its approval for the purchase in June.
According to Israeli sources, the contract is expected to incur costs of nearly four billion euros. This sum will be financed from a special fund of 100 billion euros, established in response to the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
The Arrow 3 project, a joint development between Israel and the United States, is planned to be operational by the end of 2025. At Germany’s suggestion, it is intended to become an integral part of a European air defence system.
As the top component of the layered Israeli missile defence system, Arrow 3 is designed to successfully neutralize attacking weapon systems at altitudes of over 100 kilometres.
The system includes a command and control center, radar equipment, launchers, and guided missiles.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chairwoman of the Defense Committee, expressed being “greatly relieved” about the US approval for the system’s delivery. She emphasized that it will contribute to protecting Germany and its neighbouring states from aerial attacks.