Tel Aviv: Israel is replenishing its Arrow stockpile after the extensive use of this interceptor in recent months.
The Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram, signed a production contract to significantly accelerate the serial production of Arrow interceptors at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). As part of the deal, IAI will supply the IMOD with a significant additional amount of Arrow interceptors.
The deal was led by Moshe Patel, Director of the Israel Missile Defence Organisation (IMDO) within the Ministry’s Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D).
The Arrow system, developed and manufactured in cooperation with the US Missile Defence Agency (MDA), demonstrated significant interception capabilities during the Swords of Iron War, especially during Operation Rising Lion. The system provides exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception capabilities against ballistic missile threats, protecting the State of Israel from strategic long-range threats. The Arrow system integrates cutting-edge technologies and is considered one of the world’s most advanced air and missile defence systems.
IAI is the prime contractor for developing the Arrow system and its interceptors through its MLM facility in partnership with the US company Stark Aerospace. Other partners include IAI’s ELTA and TAMAM Divisions, Elbit Systems, Tomer, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) is a major partner of the IMDO at the Ministry’s DDR&D in the development and production of Israel’s Multi-layered Defence Systems, including the Arrow and David’s Sling Weapon Systems, and the production of Iron Dome Defence System components. The strategic cooperation between the MDA and the IMDO helps ensure Israel’s technological edge in air and missile defence.
IMOD Director General, Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram commented, “Israeli defence systems in general, and the Arrow system in particular, demonstrated exceptional capabilities during the war. The numerous interceptions it carried out saved many lives and significantly reduced economic damage. Accelerating the production rate of the Arrow and other critical systems is a central component of the Ministry’s strategy to expand production capabilities and improve operational readiness for the continuation of the war and future campaigns.”
Head of DDR&D, Brig Gen (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold stated, “Accelerating Arrow interceptor production is part of DDR&D’s advanced mass production vision for the defence industries. We aim to massively increase the supply of high-quality defensive and offensive military equipment to the IDF. The current war has highlighted the critical need for expanded production capacity, and advanced manufacturing technologies now allow us to achieve this efficiently. We must maintain our qualitative and quantitative advantage over our enemies.”
IAI President and CEO, Boaz Levy said, “This vital decision by the Israel Ministry of Defence to accelerate Arrow interceptor production demonstrates Israel’s commitment to protecting its citizens. It also reflects the system’s unprecedented success during the war and shows confidence in IAI’s employees, who are the human foundation behind these achievements. Since the war began, we have operated at full capacity to meet Israel’s security needs across air, sea, land, and space, while continuously developing new systems for future challenges, including the Arrow 4 system.”
-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
