The German armed forces announced they are taking the first step toward deploying the Israeli-made missile defense system "Arrow 3." The Air Force stated that the Inspector General and the Air Force Inspector will announce the system’s initial operational capability on December 3 at Holzdorf Air Base in Schönewalde. For the first time, the system will give Germany the ability to detect and intercept ballistic missiles coming from outside Earth’s atmosphere. The acquisition is part of Germany’s response to the threat posed by Russia. Arrow is designed to close a critical gap in missile defense, capable of destroying incoming missiles at altitudes above 100 kilometers, neutralizing threats in the upper atmosphere and near space—capabilities previously unavailable. Germany is expanding its investments in air defense, launching the “European Sky Shield” initiative to build a continental missile defense network in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Holzdorf Air Base, located south of Berlin near the borders of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony, will be the first of three planned sites for Arrow deployment. Germany’s arms industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, especially after the government’s decision to make the Bundeswehr the strongest army in Europe with an open budget.
Sources - Agencies
