Tel Aviv: The first test launch of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Arrow 4 is expected soon.
The German ministry of defence is evaluating the purchase of the new version of this air defence system. This after acquiring the Arrow 3 .
The German interest in the new version of the Israeli system is explained by the evolving threats, especially hypersonic missiles developed by Russia.
A few years ago, Israel and the US initiated the development of the Arrow – 4 ballistic missile interceptor. The design is aimed at dealing with new threats posed mainly by the Iranian long range ballistic missiles.
The Arrow 4 will have improved agility, sophisticated seeker technology, AI-powered radar tracking, and a precision warhead designed for hypersonic glide vehicles and agile reentry vehicles.
Arrow 4, the newest version of the Israeli interceptor, will be capable of operating at speeds more than Mach 10 in both endo- and exo-atmospheric conditions.
Israel is developing this new version in order to counter emerging threats from adversaries like Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. It supports a “shoot-look-shoot” policy for mid-course corrections and layered intercepts.
Development of Arrow 4 began in February 2021, announced by Israel’s Defence Minister and the Israel Missile Defense Organisation (IMDO), as a successor to the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems operational since 2000 and 2017, respectively. It builds on Israel’s multi-layered missile defence architecture, including Iron Dome and David’s Sling, with IAI as the prime contractor and involvement from Elta, Elbit Systems, Rafael, and others.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
