Germany will receive its own ‘Iron Dome’ defense system from Israel.

Germany’s budget committee has given the green light for the purchase of key parts of Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system, marking a significant step towards enhancing Germany’s national security.

The Bundestag’s budget committee has released an advance payment of €560 million ($611 million) to acquire Israel’s Arrow 3 air defense system, which forms the uppermost layer of the Iron Dome. Additionally, the committee has approved €950 million ($1 billion) for the purchase of six German-made IRIS-T SLM systems, which will serve as the middle layer of the Iron Dome.

Karsten Klein, a member of the committee, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “With the purchase of the German IRIS-T SLM and the acquisition of the Israeli Arrow, we are pushing ahead with two major projects from the Bundeswehr’s special assets that will help build up a protective umbrella in Germany,” as reported by POLITICO.

The Arrow 3 system, designed by Israel Aerospace Industries, is capable of intercepting missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere and can effectively neutralize threats from a distance of nearly 1,500 miles.

Since its implementation in Israel in 2017, the Arrow 3 system has successfully thwarted attacks from Iran and Syria, providing a crucial defense shield for the nation. Experts have even suggested that the system could be adapted for use as an anti-satellite weapon, highlighting its versatility.

The total cost of the Arrow 3 system is projected to reach €4 billion ($4.3 billion), and it is expected to be fully operational by late 2025. Germany aims to finalize the deal with Israel by the end of 2023, with the risk of losing the advance payment if the agreement falls through, as reported by Reuters.

Funding for this acquisition will come from a €100 billion fund announced by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last year, which signifies a significant shift in defense spending. This fund will bring Germany’s defense spending to 2% of its GDP, a target that former President Donald Trump had consistently pressured Germany to meet.

The decision to acquire the Israeli defense system aligns with Germany and NATO’s broader efforts to strengthen air and missile defenses in response to Russia’s use of missiles in Ukraine. This move is part of Germany’s new national security strategy, as announced by Chancellor Scholz on Wednesday, emphasizing the significance of this investment beyond Germany’s borders.

The Iron Dome-like defense system, which is part of NATO’s European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), will involve the collaboration of 17 European countries to enhance air defense capabilities across the continent. Once operational, this system will not only safeguard Germany but also provide protection to its neighboring nations.