Tel Aviv: The Israeli Ministry of Defence, signed a production contract to expand the serial production of Arrow-3 interceptors.
Under the agreement, led by the Israel Missile Defence Organisation (IMDO) within the Ministry’s Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply the IDF with a significant number of Arrow-3 interceptors. The deal is valued at billions of Israeli shekels.
The Arrow system, which includes the Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors, was jointly developed by the Israel and the United States governments to counter long-range ballistic missile threats. During the current war, the Arrow system successfully intercepted numerous threats with exceptionally high success rates, demonstrating unprecedented performance on a global scale against Iranian missile attacks both on April 14, 2024, and October 1, 2024.
The Arrow system incorporates groundbreaking technology and is considered one of the most advanced defence systems in the world.
IAI is the prime contractor for developing the Arrow system and its interceptors through its MLM Division in partnership with the US company Stark Aerospace. IAI’s ELTA Division and TAMAM Division, along with Elbit Systems, Tomer, and Rafael, also contribute to the system’s production.
Israeli Minister of Defence, Israel Katz said that Israel has the best aerial defence capabilities in the world. The Arrow 3 system, which proved its operational superiority during the war against Iran’s missile attacks and the Houthi terrorist organisation’s missile launches, is not just a critical defence layer against missile threats – but also a symbol of the Israeli industry’s groundbreaking capabilities
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj Gen (Res.) Eyal Zamir stated, “The Arrow 3 system, which at the beginning of the war performed its first-ever operational interception in space, has since intercepted many complex threats with very high success rates. Arrow 3 served as the central defence layer in stopping missile attacks on Israel.”
Head of DDR&D, Brig Gen (Ret.) Dr Daniel Gold said, “During the war, the Arrow system proved a critical component in Israel’s aerial defence array, performed the first operational exo-atmospheric interception in history, and dealt for the first time with extensive ballistic barrages.”
CEO of IAI, Boaz Levy commented, “This unique interception system is designed to deal with long-range ballistic threats at exceptional altitude and precision, using breakthrough technologies that position it as one of the most advanced defence systems in the world. During the war, the system stood at the forefront of Israel’s aerial defence, achieving unprecedented success rates, which proved the ingenuity and dedication of the engineers and professionals at Israel Aerospace Industries.”
-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
