Germany Activates Advanced Arrow 3 Missile Defense System, Bolstering European Air Shield

Germany has officially commenced the deployment of the sophisticated Arrow 3 missile defense system, acquired from Israel, marking a significant enhancement of its aerial defense capabilities. The first operational elements were inaugurated on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Schönewalde base, located south of Berlin, according to reports from The Associated Press.

This strategic acquisition underscores Germany's commitment to strengthening its national security in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Arrow 3 system is specifically designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles, providing a crucial layer of protection against evolving threats, The independent reported.

The procurement, valued at approximately €4 billion, represents Israel's largest defense export deal to date, as confirmed by i24news. The system was jointly developed by Israel and the United States, necessitating U.S. approval for the sale, which was secured in August 2023 before the final agreement in September 2023.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the system's importance, stating that Germany is now, for the first time, gaining early-warning and protection capabilities against long-range ballistic missiles. This capability is unique among its European partners, according to Daily Finland.

The Arrow 3 system is a cornerstone of the broader European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a German-led effort to integrate air and missile defenses across the continent. Pistorius highlighted that this move not only protects Germany but also its partners, strengthening NATO's European pillar, Daily Finland noted.

The deployment marks the first time the Arrow 3 system has been operated independently by a country outside of Israel and the United States, according to The Times of Israel. This milestone signifies a new chapter in strategic cooperation between Israel and Germany, cementing their defense partnership.

Israeli Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram expressed the historical significance, noting that Israeli technology is now helping to protect Germany. He stated that this partnership ensures both countries will have more interceptors, faster, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

• The acquisition of the Arrow 3 system by Germany follows a landmark agreement signed in September 2023, with an estimated cost of €4 billion ($4.3 billion). This deal, which required U.S. approval due to its joint development with the United States, was financed partly through Germany's €100 billion special fund established after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to bolster defense spending, The Associated Press reported.

• Technically, the Arrow 3 is an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile system designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles in space, before they re-enter Earth's atmosphere. It employs "hit-to-kill" technology, destroying targets through kinetic impact rather than an explosive warhead, as detailed by Militarnyi and IAI. The system boasts an operational ceiling of 100 kilometers and can intercept threats launched from up to 2,400 kilometers away.

• The Arrow 3 is a key component of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), which Germany launched in 2022 to create a multi-layered air defense network across Europe. This initiative aims to integrate various air defense assets, including Germany's IRIS-T and the American Patriot systems, with the Arrow 3 providing the upper-tier, long-range interception capability, according to czdefence and Army Recognition.

• Strategically, this deployment significantly enhances Germany's role in European security and strengthens NATO's collective defense capabilities. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted that this strategic capability secures Germany's central role in Europe and protects its partners, according to Daily Finland. It provides a credible shield against high-velocity, long-range threats previously beyond reach, Army Recognition stated.

• The Arrow 3 system is combat-proven, having demonstrated its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. For instance, an Israeli Arrow 3 successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen in November 2023, marking its first wartime use, Defense News reported. It has also been instrumental in shooting down Iranian ballistic missiles, according to Israeli officials, with an 86% interception rate during a conflict in June, i24NEWS noted.

• Germany's deployment plan includes additional Arrow 3 batteries beyond the initial site at Schönewalde/Holzdorf Air Base. Future installations are envisioned in Schleswig-Holstein in the north and Bavaria in the south, aiming to provide comprehensive national coverage by the end of the decade, Defense News confirmed.

• This €4 billion deal represents Israel's largest defense export in its history, underscoring the deepening economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Israeli Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram emphasized that this cooperation will strengthen and deepen, not only in air defense but also across other defense sectors, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

• While largely praised, the acquisition has faced some scrutiny regarding its immediate utility against all types of threats. An analysis cited by Militarnyi suggests that while Arrow 3 is effective against long-range ballistic missiles, it offers limited use against existing Russian short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.