Israel approves major expansion of Arrow missile interceptor production

The Arrow-3 system, Israel’s long-range ballistic missile interceptor, had its first operational success when it shot down a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in November 2023.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Israel will significantly accelerate the production of Arrow missile interceptors after a key ministerial committee approved a large-scale expansion plan, the Defense Ministry said Monday, as the country seeks to bolster its defenses against ongoing ballistic threats.

The decision by the Ministerial Committee for Acquisitions enables a major increase in both the rate and quantity of interceptors manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the system’s primary developer.

The Arrow system is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere or at its edge, forming the top layer of Israel’s multi-tiered air defense network.

Developed jointly with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, it has been used extensively during the current war, intercepting missiles launched from Iran and Yemen.

“The acceleration of the production of the Arrow interceptors on a large scale already significantly increases the number of interceptors produced each month and strengthens the top layer of defense of the State of Israel against ballistic threats from Iran and its proxies,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

He stressed that the move gives Israel operational flexibility.

“The State of Israel has enough interceptors to protect its citizens, and the current move is intended to ensure continued freedom of action and the necessary breathing space,” Katz said, adding a warning to Iran’s leadership that Israel is “prepared to continue the campaign as long as necessary.”

Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, the ministry’s Director General, said the ministry has been working for months to ramp up production capacity.

“The actions we have taken in advance, together with the defense industries, are what are allowing the IDF to breathe today,” he said.

“The approval of the Ministerial Committee will allow us to finance the actions we have already taken and improve readiness for the months ahead.”

Israel employs a multi-layered system to defend against short-, medium-, and long-range missiles.

The Arrow-3 system, Israel’s long-range ballistic missile interceptor, had its first operational success when it shot down a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in November 2023.

It is widely believed to be the first time a missile was intercepted in outer space, though Israeli officials have not confirmed this.

Other layers include David’s Sling, designed to shoot down medium-range threats at high altitudes, and the C-Dome system, designed to protect naval assets from short-range threats. C

-Dome made its first operational intercept in April 2024.

Iron Dome is the best-known system in Israel’s multi-tiered air defense network, protecting against short-range missiles.

Israel also became the first country to deploy a laser-based air defense system, the Iron Beam.

IAI CEO Boaz Levy said demand for the system has grown as the conflict continues.

“The need to use the Arrow 3… is more acute than ever,” he said, citing the system’s ability to intercept threats at high altitude with “precise, advanced, and highly reliable technology.”