German air force chief in Israel: Arrow 3 missile defense project progressing
Construction of the "Arrow 3" air defense system for Germany is progressing on schedule, according to Luftwaffe (German Air Force) Commander Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz.
Gerhartz recently concluded a visit to Israel, just before a Houthi missile struck near Ben-Gurion International Airport. During his visit, he received the first components of the Arrow system at Israel Aerospace Industries, including the central communications module.
This year, the German Air Force plans to declare the initial operational readiness of the Israeli missile system, which aims to close a gap in its missile defense capabilities. The Arrow system will enable Germany to intercept incoming missiles at altitudes of up to 100 kilometers (about 62 miles), outside the atmosphere and within the near-space layer. Until now, Germany lacked capabilities at this highest level of interception.
“With Arrow 3, Germany is acquiring an Israeli weapons system that will help protect Germany from aerial threats,” Gerhartz told the German news agency. The Arrow system will be deployed at three sites – the first being the Holzdorf military airbase in eastern Germany, south of the capital. Construction work there is already underway.
In the coming weeks, Gerhartz is expected to step down as commander of the German Air Force and assume a senior role within NATO as commander of its headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands – one of the alliance’s two operational headquarters in Europe.
“My first visit abroad as Air Force Inspector was to Israel in 2018, shortly after I assumed the position — and now, seven years later, I’m here again for my final visit. I’ve come full circle,” Gerhartz remarked.
Dov Gil-Har is a corespondent for KAN 11.
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