Pistorius: Arrow 3 strengthens German and European air defence
Germany’s air defence and that of its partners are set to be significantly strengthened as the first elements of the new Arrow 3 missile defence system are activated, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told dpa in Berlin.
“We now gain, for the first time, the capability for early warning and protection of our population and infrastructure against long-range ballistic missiles,” Pistorius said. “With this strategic capability, unique among our European partners, we secure our central role at the heart of Europe.”
The German Air Force is set to declare the system’s initial operational capability on Wednesday at its Schönewalde/Holzdorf air base, about 80 kilometres south of Berlin.
According to the German military, this means the first system elements — radar, launchers and trained personnel — are now operational and can begin protective operations on a limited scale.
“This way, we are protecting not only ourselves, but also our partners. We strengthen NATO’s European pillar and fulfil a NATO planning objective,” Pistorius said, adding that Germany is taking on responsibility.
Pistorius thanked Israeli and US partners, who jointly developed the system, as well as soldiers and civilian staff for their efforts. The minister also noted that the contract for the system was signed only two years ago.
The system will give Germany, for the first time, the ability to detect and intercept incoming ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
