Germany and Israel have signed a letter of intent for Berlin to purchase the Israeli “Arrow 3” missile defense system, capable of intercepting hostile missiles at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Israeli counterpart, Yuval Gallant, signed the agreement in Berlin on Thursday, September 28, 2023, marking a historic day for both countries.
Pistorius stated during a press conference alongside Gallant, “With the daily Russian attacks on Ukraine, we can see how crucial air defense systems are.”
On the other hand, Gallant emphasized that the signing of the agreement was a “significant event for every Jew,” considering the Holocaust.
He added, “After just 80 years since the end of World War II, Israel and Germany are now collaborating to build a safer future.”
A spokesperson for the German Defense Ministry confirmed that, in addition to the letter of intent, a contract had been signed between the procurement authorities of both countries regarding the production of the “Arrow 3” system.
This agreement signifies the continued strengthening of the special relationship between Germany and Israel.
The purchase of the “Arrow 3” missile defense system comes as part of Germany’s military modernization efforts following the Russian war on Ukraine.
The deal aims to provide enhanced protection for Germany and its neighbors against potential missile attacks.
These guided missiles are capable of intercepting long-range missiles at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers outside the Earth’s atmosphere with pinpoint accuracy.
According to Israeli reports, the deal’s cost is about 4 billion euros, making it the largest arms deal in Israeli history, according to Israeli officials.
Previous statements from Israel indicated that part of the agreement would involve a joint statement on bilateral relations and cooperation between the defense ministries of both countries.
Negotiations for the purchase of the missile system began last year in response to the outbreak of the Russian war on Ukraine.
In mid-June, the Defense Committee in the German parliament gave the green light for the purchase of this system. The funding for the deal is expected to come from a special fund established for the military following the outbreak of the Russian war on Ukraine, with a total value of 100 billion euros.
