Germany launched the first part of the Arrow 3 anti-missile system

The first of three parts of the Arrow 3 anti-missile system was launched on Wednesday at the base located between Berlin and Dresden, in northeastern Germany. The system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, in space.

The Schoenewalde/Holzdorf air base, on the border of the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg, has reached the so-called initial readiness of the system. This marks the launch of the first elements of Arrow 3, including the radar and launcher. This allows you to launch anti-aircraft defense to a limited extent.

– For the first time, we have the ability to provide early warning and protect our population and infrastructure against long-range ballistic missiles. Thanks to this strategic capability, unique among our European partners, we are securing our central role in the heart of Europe, said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in an interview with the dpa news agency.

In this way, the protection of not only Germany but also “our partners” will be ensured, he emphasized.

Germany bought the Arrow 3 system in Israel in 2023 for EUR 3.6 billion, in the context of the missile threat from Russia. The system is to be fully combat ready in 2030. Ultimately, it is to be deployed in three bases.

This is the first time Arrow 3 has been deployed outside Israel. The system is intended to destroy missiles at altitudes of even more than 100 kilometers, i.e. outside the atmosphere, in space. This is an ability that the Bundeswehr has not had so far.

From Berlin Mateusz Obremski (PAP)

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