Arrow (missile family)

The Arrow program was launched in light of the acquisition by Arab states of long-range surface-to-surface missiles. The United States and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding to co-fund the Arrow program on May 6, 1986, and in 1988 the United States Department of Defense Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) placed an order with Israel Aircraft Industries for the Arrow 1 technology demonstrator. The Gulf War, which exposed the controversial performance of the Patriot missile against Iraqi "Al Hussein" missiles, gave further impetus to the development of the Arrow. percent of which was funded by the United States. Israel contributes approximately $65 million annually. Criticism and opposition The Arrow program encountered opposition from the Israeli Air Force, whose traditional doctrine of deterrence and use of preemptive strikes stand in sharp contrast with the nature of the missile. In addition, the IAF feared that the procurement of the costly missiles would diminish the resources allocated towards offensive projects such as fighter aircraft. A criticism of the concept of missile defense for Israel was aired by Reuven Pedatzur in a comprehensive study published in 1993 by the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies. The arguments made in the study conformed to the opinions of numerous defense officials and analysts, and echoed many of the arguments made by the Strategic Defense Initiative critics in the United States. Pedatzur argued that it was exceedingly simple to fool an Arrow-type defensive system with simple, cheap, and easily installed countermeasures, which would render the Arrow system ineffective. He doubted Israel's defense industries could rise to the challenge of such a complex system, citing anonymous experts in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who predicted that the system would not be available before 2010. He envisaged enormous costs, around $10 billion, Victoria Samson, a research associate of the Center for Defense Information, also stated in October 2002 that the Arrow system cannot track an incoming missile that has split its warhead into submunitions. In June 2003 a group of Israeli chief engineers, co-inventors, and project managers of IAI and subcontractors were awarded the Israel Defense Prize for the development and production of the Arrow system. According to Uzi Rubin, the first Director of IMDO, over time, most of the pessimistic predictions have proven to be unfounded. Israel's defense industries overcame the technical challenge, the system's development was completed a full decade ahead of what was predicted, and there are no indications that the expenditures for the Arrow harmed other IDF procurement plans to any degree whatsoever. ==Development==

of the Arrow 1, near the Technion's Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. Arrow 1 The first launch of the Arrow interceptor took place on August 9, 1990, designed to test the missile's control and guidance systems. The test came to a halt seconds after takeoff, and the missile was intentionally destroyed due to fears it might go off track and hit a settled location. This was caused by the failure of the ground tracking radars to track the missile's trajectory. The Arrow 1 was reportedly a two-stage solid propellant missile, with an overall length of , a body diameter of , and a launch weight of around . It was estimated that the second stage had a length of , and that it had inertial and command update mid-course guidance, with a terminal infrared focal plane array. The missile was described as being relatively high-speed and maneuverable, with thrust vectoring in both stages. The range capability has been described as around . On the other hand, the Arrow 1 could be a single stage missile. Reportedly, in June 2001 Arrow missiles were test-fired in the course of a joint American-Israeli-Turkish exercise code-named Anatolian Eagle, in the southeast of Turkey. On August 27, 2001 (AST#6), the Arrow system successfully intercepted its target at some from shore, the highest and farthest that the Arrow 2 had been tested to date. In October 2002 the second battery was declared operational. Block-2 A successful test of the Arrow 2 Block-2 took place on January 5, 2003 (AST#8). Four missiles were launched towards four simulated targets in order to examine the interceptor's performance during special flight conditions as well as system performance during a sequence of launches. The test was a success, with the interceptor destroying the "Scud" that flew a trajectory This was the twelfth Arrow interceptor test and the seventh test of the complete system, the first interception of a real "Scud". This significant test became known as the AST USFT#1. It detected the true target, but a technical malfunction reportedly prevented it from maneuvering to strike it, leading to a suspension of testing. Actual testing of the complete Arrow system was resumed in December 2005, when the system successfully intercepted a target at an unspecified but reported record low altitude. Block-3 On February 11, 2007, an Arrow 2 block-3 successfully intercepted and destroyed a "Black Sparrow" target missile simulating a ballistic missile at high altitude. A precursor of the next block was launched without a target on March 26, 2007, to gather information on its flight and performance, introducing unspecified modifications to its hardware and electronics and reduced manufacturing costs by some 20 percent. Arieh Herzog, then Director of IMDO, has said: "Our Arrow operational system can without a doubt deal with all of the operational threats in the Middle East, particularly in Iran and Syria." Block-4 On April 15, 2008, the Arrow weapon system successfully detected and made a simulated intercept of a new target missile, and reportedly the Iranian Shahab-3 as well. In September 2008 the IDF attempted a test of actual Arrow 2 block-4 missile against the "Blue Sparrow". The drill had to be aborted, however, when the target missile malfunctioned shortly after launch. Eventually the Arrow 2 block-4 was successfully tested against the "Blue Sparrow" on April 7, 2009. A July 22, 2009, joint test of the Arrow 2 block-4 against an airborne target missile with a range of over once again at the NAS Point Mugu, was reportedly aborted in the final second before launch after the missile failed to establish a communications link. "Tracking of the target worked well, but tracking trajectory information that the radar transferred to the battle management center erroneously showed we would be out of the prescribed safety range, so the mission was aborted," a program source said. The aborted interception came after two earlier setbacks in the planned test, initially scheduled for July 17. The first try was scuttled due to a technical glitch in the C-17 aircraft, and a planned July 20 attempt was scrubbed due to a malfunctioning electric battery that was not providing enough power to a key element of the Arrow system. The test was widely referred to as a failure, On February 22, 2011, the Arrow system successfully intercepted a long-range The test validated new block-4 versions designed to improve discriminating capabilities of the Arrow 2 interceptor. It was a body-to-body impact that completely destroyed the target. According to Arieh Herzog, block-4 upgrades "improve the process of discrimination of what happens in the sky and the transmission of target data for much better situational control." On September 9, 2014, an intercept test was conducted over the Mediterranean Sea with block-4.1 versions of the operational system. The outcome was inconclusive and remained so until the data was fully analyzed. In February 2015, an official at the IMDO acknowledged that a test was successfully acquired, but narrowly missed its target. Block-5 By April 2011, IMDO launched the initial definition of a new Block-5 upgrade to the complete Arrow system that will merge the lower-tier Arrow 2 and exoatmospheric Arrow 3 into a single national missile defense system. According to Arieh Herzog, the planned block-5 will include new ground- and airborne sensors, a command and control system, and a new target missile – the Silver Sparrow The planned Block-5 will optimize the existing Super Green Pine radar to operate with the AN/TPY-2 radar as well as with radars commanding anti-ballistic missiles aboard United States Navy destroyers. U.S. radars will be used to support closed-loop operations if Israel and U.S. targets in the region come under attack. Arrow 3 By August 2008, the United States and Israeli governments had initiated development of an upper-tier component to the Israeli Air Defense Command, known as Arrow 3. The development is based on an architecture definition study conducted in 2006–2007, determining the need for the upper-tier component to be integrated into Israel's ballistic missile defense system. According to Arieh Herzog, the main element of this upper tier will be an exoatmospheric interceptor, to be jointly developed by IAI and Boeing. Arrow 3 was declared operational on January 18, 2017. Arrow 3 operates at greater speeds, In early 2021, Israel revealed that the development of the Arrow 4 interceptor was ongoing and that the system was targeting the interception of hypersonic threats such as hypersonic cruise missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles. Efforts to counter hypersonic threats took on new urgency following a November 2022 announcement by Iran that they had tested a hypersonic missile which can reach Israel within four minutes. ==Specifications==

The Arrow system was originally designed and optimized to intercept short and medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges above . It is not intended to intercept either military aircraft or artillery rockets, the second of which are relatively small and short ranged. Nevertheless, Arrow is also capable of low altitude interception, as well as multi-tactical ballistic missiles interception. a single Arrow interceptor has a 90 percent probability of destroying a target missile at the highest altitude possible. Using this technique, three independent interception possibilities are provided which raise the interception probability from 90 percent to 99.9 percent, thus satisfying the leakage rate requirement. Each trailer-mounted erector–launcher weighs when loaded with six launch tubes with ready-to-fire missiles. or 1,000 MHz to 2,000 MHz. It operates in search, detection, tracking, and missile guidance modes simultaneously. The radar illuminates the target and guides the Arrow missile to within of the target. ;Super Green Pine An advanced version of the radar, called "Super Green Pine", "Green Pine" Block-B, or "Great Pine" (, ), is to take the place of the original "Green Pine. As of 2008 both versions were active. The "Super Green Pine" extends detection range to about . An even more advanced upgrade of the Super Green Pine is under development. It is also interoperable with other theater missile defense systems and C3I systems. Notably Link 16, TADIL-J, communications were being altered to allow interoperability with Patriot fire control units. Assigned targets can be handed over to the Patriot's AN/MPQ-53 fire control radar. Tests carried out by the U.S. and Israel have successfully linked the Arrow with both U.S. and Israeli versions of the Patriot. The "Citron Tree" has three banks of operator consoles laid out in a U shape. In the center sits the officer in command who oversees the engagement, but also has links to the other parts of the battery as well as to IAF headquarters. On the commander's right sits the engagement officer, who ensures that targets are assigned to other engagement officers sitting on the right-hand leg of the U. Each is assigned a geographical area to defend, and two of the officers are more senior as they have an overview of Patriot batteries. To the left of the commander is the resource officer, who monitors the status and readiness of the missiles. On the left of the U sits the sky picture officer, who is in contact with the Home Front Command and uses the center's ability to predict impact point to alert the civil authorities. Also at these consoles are an intelligence officer and an after-action/debrief officer, who uses recordings as it is impossible to absorb all the information during engagements. All in all, the "Golden Citron" is manned by 7–10 operators. Brown Hazelnut The "Brown Hazelnut" (, ) launch control center is located at the launch site, up to from the "Golden Citron" fire control center. It employs microwave and radio data and voice communications links to the "Green Pine" and "Golden Citron". The launch method is a vertical hot launch from a sealed canister, providing all-azimuth coverage. "Brown Hazelnut" also has missile maintenance and diagnostic capabilities. ==Production==

Israel initially produced the Arrow system domestically, but on February 11, 2003, IAI and Boeing signed an agreement, valued at over $25 million for fiscal years 2003–2004, to establish production facilities for the manufacture of components for the Arrow missile in the United States. In March 2004, IAI awarded a $78 million production contract to Boeing; the total contract value could exceed $225 million through the second quarter of 2008. Boeing delivered its first Arrow 2 interceptor to Israel in 2005. Final deliveries to the Israel Air Force were planned by the end of 2010. • Raytheon – produces the infrared seeker; ==Deployment==

According to its original 1986 schedule, the Arrow system was supposed to enter operational service in 1995. Deployment of the second battery at Ein Shemer Airfield, The IDF planned to procure 50 As of 2012, reportedly one "Great Pine" radar is deployed alongside two "Green Pine" radars. The new battery was expected to be put into operational use in 2012 in the center of the country. According to ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', some sources indicate that the new Arrow 2 battery became operational in 2012 in an Israeli Air Force facility at Tal Shahar, roughly halfway between Jerusalem and Ashdod, near Beit Shemesh. Export Apart from Israel, India had acquired and deployed three "Green Pine" radars by August 2005. The Indian government has sought to purchase the Arrow system since 1999, U.S. officials argued that the sale would violate the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). However, India would later go on to develop an indigenous BMD program in the early 2000s. Turkey also planned to buy anti-missile air defense systems worth more than $1 billion. The Arrow was considered a potential contender, but was rejected on political grounds. In the past, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Singapore were mentioned as then potential foreign customers of the Arrow system. Armed with marketing approval by their respective governments, a U.S.–Israeli industrial team plans to offer the Arrow system to South Korea. The potential deal, estimated to exceed $1 billion. For the United States, the Arrow has provided important technical and operational data. The Arrow system is being incorporated into U.S. anti-ballistic capability in Europe, they said. By October 2015, the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had become interested in procuring the Arrow system for themselves. In the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, the German government is considering the purchase of the Arrow-3 system for the Bundeswehr. Since it is available on the market, it could be operational in Germany as early as 2025. For the missile protection shield, "Super Green Pine" missile radar systems would be installed at three locations in Germany, which would send their data to the Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem. The German Arrow batteries could also cover Poland, Romania and/or the Baltic States. Neighbouring countries would then have to buy additional Arrow-3 missiles, whereas the radar image would be supplied by the German forces. According to a report in the newspaper "The Jerusalem Post" dated April 5, 2022, Israel and the United States have agreed in principle to sell the Arrow-3 system to Germany. In June 2023, the German Bundestag approved the purchase of the Arrow 3 system for the German Air Force. The €4 billion deal was Israel's largest military export to date, with the first systems delivered in December 2025. In May 2025, the German government announced its intention to procure the Arrow 4 missile defense system, becoming the first international partner to signal acquisition plans for the system while it is still under development. Arrow 4 is being designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the upper atmosphere and exo-atmospherically, providing a strategic layer above the capabilities of Arrow 3. Germany plans to integrate Arrow 4 into the existing Arrow 3 infrastructure, including shared launchers and radar systems, to reduce procurement costs and streamline deployment. Initial deliveries are expected after 2030, contingent on development progress by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. ==Operational history==

On March 17, 2017, the Arrow missile scored its first operational intercept when it shot down a Syrian S-200 missile fired at an Israeli aircraft. A senior IAF officer provided operational context to the unusual intercept of a surface-to-air missile. The officer said the S-200 missile "behaved like a ballistic threat" with "an altitude, range, and ballistic trajectory" that mimicked the Scud-class targets the Arrow 2 interceptor was designed to kill. On October 31, 2023, an Arrow 2 missile intercepted a long-range ballistic missile launched at Israel from Houthis in Yemen. This was Arrow 2's first operational use during a war, and its first successful interception. On November 9, 2023, an Arrow 3 missile made its first successful interception of a Ghadr-110 missile heading for the country's southernmost city of Eilat. On April 13, 2024, the Arrow missile defense system intercepted long-range ballistic missiles during Iran's Operation True Promise. Iran's attack included 120 ballistic missiles, 170 attack drones and 30 cruise missiles aimed at Israel. The successful interception of missiles by the Arrow system was part of a coordinated defense effort involving multiple other missile defense systems and international support from the U.S., Britain, and France which effectively prevented serious damage or casualties in Israel. On October 1, 2024, the Arrow missile defense system intercepted long-range ballistic missiles during the October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel. Iran's attack included 181 ballistic missiles deployed over two waves aimed at Israel. On May 4, 2025, Israeli sources told the BBC that the Arrow missile defense system failed to intercept a missile fired from Yemen by Ansar Allah forces, which ended up impacting the ground near Ben Gurion Airport. On June 18 2025, during the 2025 Iran–Israel war, The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to a US official, "Israel is running low on Arrow interceptors" ==See also==