Israel’s extra-atmospheric “Arrow” anti-missile defense system is set to receive an upgrade soon from manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
As with previous Arrow systems, the Arrow 4 is also under development in collaboration with the US Missile Defense Agency.
Arrow 4 will use a next-generation interceptor to counter emerging threats like hypersonic glide vehicles, which are warheads for ballistic missiles that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speed.
Such warheads can be used with nuclear warheads, as they are with Chinese and Russian systems, according to a November 2024 article published by the Congressional Research Service.
The upgraded interceptor missile is expected to enter initial production in the coming days.
The new Arrow 4 system is designed to operate in both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric environments, intercepting a wider range of incoming threats.
Intended to replace the older Arrow 2 system, Arrow 4 interceptors will be able to destroy incoming ballistic missiles, maneuverable re-entry vehicles and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs).
The Arrow 3 anti-missile defense system has been used during ballistic missile attacks launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, and during the recent 12-day war with Iran, Operation Rising Lion.
As a result, Israel’s supply of Arrow 3 interceptors has greatly diminished, leading to a recent multi-billion shekel deal to expand production of the defense missiles.
Germany has already purchased the Arrow 3 from Israel but has also expressed an interest in acquiring the soon-to-be-released Arrow 4 as well.
