Germany has approved an advance payment for the purchase of the Arrow 3 air defense system from Israel for nearly four billion euros ($4.3 billion).
The budget committee in the lower house of parliament gave the green light for an initial payment of 560 million euros.
The long-range Arrow 3 system, designed to shoot down missiles above the Earth’s atmosphere, is powerful enough to offer protective cover for neighboring European Union states.
Further, the committee also approved around 950 million euros for the purchase of six German-made Iris-T SLM air defense systems.
About Arrow 3 air defense system
The Arrow 3 or Hetz 3 is an exoatmospheric hypersonic anti-ballistic missile, jointly funded, developed and produced by Israel and the United States.
Undertaken by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing, it is overseen by the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s “Homa administration and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
It provides exo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles (during the space-flight portion of their trajectory), including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) carrying nuclear, chemical, biological or conventional warheads.
With divert motor capability, its kill vehicle can switch directions dramatically, allowing it to pivot to see approaching satellites.
The missile’s reported flight range is up to 2,400 km (1,500 mi).
Based on the uniquely effective Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, the Arrow modular air defense system detects, tracks, intercepts and destroys incoming TBMs carrying a range of warheads and over a large footprint, thereby protecting strategic assets and population centers.
The innovative Arrow 3 interceptor is designed to intercept and destroy the newest, longer-range threats, especially those carrying weapons of mass destruction.
Following are the highlights of Arrow 3 air defense system:-
- Two-stage interceptor
- Hit-to-kill warhead
- Compact and innovative design
- Very large defended area
- High lethality against all types of TBMs and warheads
- Outstanding maneuverability and divert capability
- State-of-the-art long-range acquisition high-resolution EO sensor
- Very large battle space
Image Courtesy and Specification Source: https://www.iai.co.il/p/arrow-3 and Wikipedia
