Germany continues to build its air defense shield: After six IRIS-T SLM (Infra Red Imaging System – Surface Launched Medium Range) were ordered from Diehl Defencethe German Bundestag has now also approved the funds for the procurement of the Arrow III isral missile defense system.
In a first step, 560 million euros will be made available for this, but the bottom line is that costs of up to four billion euros are likely to be incurred, financed from the 100 billion euro special investment pot. The system is to be installed in Germany by the end of 2025, complementing the US Patriot mobile system and IRIS-T SLM. While Patriot ensures defence at close range and IRIS-T SLM can engage targets at distances of up to 20 kilometers, Arrow 3 is capable of intercepting (nuclear) missiles at altitudes of up to 100 kilometers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlcsJTJrCPE The missiles have a combat weight of around 2,000 kilograms and can reach speeds of up to Mach 9. The sophisticated sensors and radars enable enemy missiles to be detected, tracked and identified at an early stage. Using a so-called kinetic interception approach, these are then neutralized by physically destroying their target warheads. For Israel, the sale of Arrow III is the largest arms deal in the country’s history.
