Tel Aviv: The Israeli Missile Defence Organisation (IMDO) within the Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D) in the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), on Wednesday, August 5 successfully completed a planned test of the Arrow Weapon System, as part of the multi-year test programme for the development and upgrade of the system. The launch was conducted from a test site in central Israel.
The Arrow that was launched was an upgraded version based on the lessons from the recent war with Iran.
The Arrow Weapon System, including Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, demonstrated unprecedented, groundbreaking capabilities on a global scale in the aerial and missile defence domain, intercepting numerous ballistic threats launched from both Iran and Yemen over the last three years, including ballistic missiles in space, in the exo-atmosphere.
Israel’s defence establishment continues to develop and upgrade the system at all times against evolving threats expected in the region in the coming years, as part of the Ministry’s strategy to preserve Israel’s technological superiority by developing operational solutions and preempting the enemy’s next surprises.
The successful test represents another significant milestone in Israel’s operational ability to defend itself from current and future threats.
The Arrow Weapon System constitutes the top layer of Israel’s multi-layered air and missile defence array that also includes the David’s Sling, Iron Dome, and Iron Beam Defence Systems. The Arrow Weapon System includes threat detection and classification capabilities via the powerful Green Pine and Super Green Pine radars, a command-and-control system, a fire control system, and interceptors enabling exo-atmospheric interception at extreme altitudes and ranges.
The development and production of the systems is led by the Israel Ministry of Defence through the IMDO within the DDR&D, and executed with the US MDA. These defence systems are operated in the field by the Israeli Air Force’s Air Defence Command. IAI is the prime developer of the Arrow Weapon System, through its Systems, Missiles & Space Group and its ELTA Group, which develops the radar detection array. Elbit Systems develops the fire control system. Tomer, a government-owned defence company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and the US STARK Aerospace company are key subcontractors in the development of the Arrow interceptors.
The test was conducted with the participation of senior officials and representatives from the US MDA, which is a partner in the development and production of the Arrow Weapon System.
Defence Minister, Israel Katz, commented, “Today’s Arrow system test is further proof of the strength of Israel’s defence establishment, its defence industries, and its technological capabilities. The Arrow system has proven itself in war, successfully intercepting numerous threats from Iran and other arenas and protecting Israel’s citizens. We’re constantly upgrading its capabilities, and Israel stays ready at all times, for both current and future threats. We will continue investing in the development of the world’s most advanced defence systems, while simultaneously strengthening our offensive capabilities, to ensure Israel’s security superiority and the safety of its citizens.”
IMOD Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, stated, “This groundbreaking Arrow test puts into practice the core pillars of the Israel Ministry of Defence’s strategy: staying ahead technologically by developing ‘the next surprises,’ and strengthening Israel’s weapons independence. Even now, following our success in the Iran campaign, we remain in emergency mode, dramatically accelerating production and upgrading the system’s capabilities. Thanks to decisions made over the past year, Israel’s interceptor stockpile keeps growing, backed by new and constantly evolving capabilities.”
IAI Chairman of the Board, Boaz Levy, remarked, “The Arrow system plays a direct, decisive role in how Israel confronts the threats from Iran and its proxies, and it’s yet another proof point of the strategic and technological edge IAI delivers for the country. Our deep, long-standing partnership with the Israeli and American defence establishments keeps driving breakthroughs and unique technologies that draw real interest from our allies around the world, while directly strengthening Israel’s security and economy. As aerial threats grow more complex and varied, IAI keeps pushing harder on advanced technological solutions that protect nations, civilians, and strategic assets.”
Head of the DDR&D, Brig Gen (Res.) Dr Daniel Gold, said, “This successful and significant test in the development of the Arrow system marks an exceptionally important step in the continued fortification of Israel’s aerial defences. These new developments draw on the lessons of the war on one hand, and forward-looking vision on the other, to address evolving threats and establish Israel’s relative advantage over its enemies. I want to express my appreciation to all the engineers and personnel involved within the DDR&D, the IDF, the MDA, and the defence industries.”
IAI President and CEO Guy Bar Lev, commented, “The Arrow system, built by IAI in close partnership with the Israel Ministry of Defence, the US MDA, and the Israeli Air Force, once again exemplifies that Israel holds the most advanced ballistic missile defence technology in the world. This test put the system up against future threats and generated data that our engineers will use to build the next generation of aerial defence. IAI’s systems are at the core of every layer of Israel’s defence, identifying, classifying, and tracking every threat in the airspace. All of this is achieved thanks to the people of IAI, who work around the clock with professionalism and a true sense of mission to protect Israel.”
IMDO Director, Moshe Patel, said, “The War of Redemption proved the importance of the multi-layered aerial defence array that the Israel Ministry of Defence has developed and built over several decades. In this test, we completed an important and significant stage in the development of the Arrow Weapon System. In these new developments, we incorporated advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, the application of combat lessons, and a move into automated manufacturing. This test marks a significant step toward the continued equipping of the IDF with the system. The IMDO continues to innovate and ensure Israel’s security against both today’s and tomorrow’s threats.”
-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
