The German armed forces announced they have taken the first step toward deploying the new missile defense system "Arrow 3." At the same time, a survey revealed that a majority of Germans oppose their country taking on a leading military role in Europe. The Air Force said on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, that Inspector General Carsten Breuer and Air Force Inspector Lieutenant General Holger Neumann will announce the system’s initial operational capability on December 3 at Holzdorf Air Base in Schönewalde. The system will give Germany, for the first time, the ability to detect and intercept ballistic missiles coming from outside Earth’s atmosphere. The acquisition of the Israeli-made system 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. Sources - Agencies
