Tel Aviv - Israel's Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that it has successfully secured its largest-ever defense deal, selling an advanced missile defense system named Arrow 3 to Germany for a total of $3.5 billion. This significant deal gained approval from the United States prior to its finalization.
While Israel has historically maintained strong economic and military ties with Western European nations, this deal with Germany could draw the attention of Russia. Israel has managed to maintain working relations with Russia during the conflict in Ukraine, refusing requests to supply arms to Kyiv to avoid upsetting Moscow.
Germany's purchase of the Arrow 3 defense system, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles, has been approved by the U.S. State Department due to the system's joint development by Israel and the United States. Israeli defense officials highlight that this deal enhances Germany's defense capabilities while strengthening the defense partnership between Israel and the U.S.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the agreement as "historic," symbolizing a transformation in the relationship between Israel and Germany since the tragic events of World War II.
Nonetheless, the deal's finalization requires additional procedural steps in both Israel and Germany, including approval from both countries' parliaments. According to Moshe Patel, the director of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization, the missile system components will be fully delivered to Germany by 2025, with the system expected to attain its full operational capacity by 2030.
Arrow 3's potential to serve as a long-range ballistic missile shield for other European nations is recognized by experts. It has been introduced as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, a joint European air defense system initiated in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius welcomed the U.S. approval, highlighting the significance of this procurement for protecting Germany from future ballistic missile threats.
Uzi Rubin, former director of Israel's missile defense program, noted that while Arrow 3 is an effective defense against ballistic missiles, it does not safeguard against cruise missiles or other lower-altitude threats. The deal showcases Israel's cautious approach to balancing its relationship with Russia, maintaining coordination on security issues in Syria while refraining from supplying weapons to Ukraine.
By pursuing this deal with Germany and other NATO members, Israel aims to emphasize that these defense-related transactions do not jeopardize cordial relations with Russia, focusing solely on defensive capabilities.