Germany achieves initial operational capability for Arrow air defense system

BERLIN, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Germany's defense ministry said on Wednesday that the armed forces have reached initial operational capability with the Arrow-3 air defense system at the Holzdorf Air Base in eastern Germany.

"With the new Arrow system, we are expanding our air defense to include the outer layer," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in a statement.

The deployment of the system at the Holzdorf Air Base marks the first time that Germany has obtained the capability for early warning and protection of its population and infrastructure against long-range ballistic missiles, the statement said.

The Arrow-3 system, developed by Israel in cooperation with the United States, was exported to Germany under a 2023 procurement contract. Enditem