The German Air Force recently launched its first segment of the Arrow long-range missile defense shield. This deployment, occurring outside of Israel for the first time, aims to enhance European air defense against Russian threats. The event took place on December 3, 2025, at the Holzdorf airbase, located south of Berlin.
Germany Enhances Air Defense with Arrow System
Holger Neumann, the inspector of the Luftwaffe, highlighted the system’s capability to defend against ballistic missiles at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers. This advancement signifies a critical step in Germany’s military expansion strategy in response to the threats posed by Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Details of the Arrow Defense System
The Arrow system was developed and manufactured collaboratively by Israel and the United States. The latest version, Arrow 3, was previously deployed in 2017. Amir Baram, a senior official in Israel’s defense ministry, stated that the Arrow system had intercepted numerous ballistic missiles in the Middle East over the past two years.
- First deployment of Arrow outside Israel.
- Cost of the project: €3.8 billion.
- Completion targeted by 2028.
Colonel Mitko Müller, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense, confirmed that the operational site at Holzdorf is just the first in a series planned for the project. However, exact locations of future sites were not disclosed.
Impact on NATO and European Security
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that with the Arrow system, Berlin is “taking responsibility” and bolstering NATO’s European framework. This system complements Germany’s European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), introduced in August 2022, which integrates short-range Iris-T missiles and American Patriot systems for medium-range defense.
Collaboration and Future Plans
The ESSI currently involves 24 member states, including the United Kingdom, but notably excludes France, which favors a European-only defense architecture. Despite differing strategies, Berlin’s focus remains on swift progress to counter the Russian threat effectively.
