Germany Deploys Advanced Israeli Air Defense System Amid Rising Russian Threat
SCHOENEWALDE, Germany – Germany has activated an advanced air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, bolstering its defenses against potential Russian missile attacks. The system, known as Arrow, operates at altitudes above 100 kilometers (62 miles) and has a range of 2,400 kilometers, complementing existing short-range defenses like the Patriot and IRIS-T.
The deployment, formalized in a ceremony at an air base in Schoenewalde, approximately 100 kilometers south of Berlin, marks a significant step in Germany’s efforts to enhance its security posture in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape.
“Who could have imagined that just 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the Jewish state, through the technologies it develops, would help defend not only Germany but all of Europe?” stated Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the system’s importance for early warning and civilian and infrastructure protection. “With this strategic capability, which is unique among our European partners, we are ensuring our fundamental role in the heart of Europe,” Pistorius said in a statement. “In this way, we are not only protecting ourselves, but also protecting our partners. In this way,we are strengthening the European pillar of NATO and fulfilling a NATO goal.”
The Arrow system functions as the upper layer of Israel’s anti-missile defense network, working alongside the Iron Dome, which intercepts short-range threats. IAI reports that several countries have expressed interest in the technology following its successful deployment in thwarting Iranian missile attacks against Israel in April and October 2024.
Germany’s strategic importance has been heightened by NATO’s eastward expansion, though countries like Poland and the Baltic states now form a more immediate defensive line. The deployment of the Arrow system underscores Germany’s continued role as a key strategic area within the alliance.
