Germany on Wednesday became the first European nation to deploy the Arrow air defense system, built to intercept intermediate-range ballistic missiles such as Russia's Oreshnik, as it seeks to counter what it sees as a growing threat from Moscow.
Operating at altitudes above 100 kilometers (62 miles), outside the earth's atmosphere, and with a range of 2,400 kilometers, the stationary Arrow system complements shorter-range air defenses such as Patriot and IRIS-T which are mounted on trucks.
A number of countries have expressed interest in purchasing the technology since Arrow helped to thwart Iran's missile attacks on Israel in April and October 2024, according to IAI.
The ceremony took place at an air base in Holzdorf, some 100 kilometers south of Berlin.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the system's value for early warning and protection of the population and infrastructure.
"With this strategic capability, which is unique among our European partners, we are securing our key role in the heart of Europe," he said in a statement. "Thus, we are not only protecting ourselves, but also our partners. We are thereby strengthening the European pillar of NATO and meeting a NATO target."
Germany aims to have the system, which is designed to cover the entire country and will be deployed at three locations in the north, south and center, fully operational by 2030.
Arrow can spot and intercept incoming missiles with a range beyond 1,000 kilometers, launched from land, air or sea, thus plugging a critical gap in the country's territorial defense.
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency, Arrow is the upper layer of Israel's missile defenses, together with the Iron Dome, which takes out short-range threats.
Germany purchased the Arrow system in 2023, for a total cost of 3.6 billion euros ($4.18 billion), as it sees Russia's intermediate-range missiles as the primary threat to its population and critical infrastructure.
By contrast, Russia's shorter-range Iskander missiles deployed to the enclave of Kaliningrad, some 500 kilometers from Berlin, are seen as a threat mainly to be tackled by Patriot air defense units.
NATO's eastern expansion has shifted front-line defense to countries such as Poland and the Baltics. However, Germany remains a key staging area in the event of a conflict.
