Israel is running low on its supply of Arrow missile defense interceptors, a U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal, raising concerns about the country’s ability to defend against long-range ballistic missile attacks from Iran if the conflict continues without resolution. The report was published early Wednesday.
The Arrow, or Hetz, is a family of advanced anti-ballistic missile systems developed to provide Israel with a more effective defense against ballistic missile threats than the U.S.-made MIM-104 Patriot system. Jointly produced by Israel and the United States, the Arrow system includes two primary interceptor variants—Arrow 2 and Arrow 3—designed to engage incoming threats at high altitudes and long ranges.
The system integrates several key components:
- The Elta EL/M-2080 “Green Pine” and “Great Pine” radars, both AESA early-warning systems;
- The Elisra “Golden Citron” (also known as Citron Tree) command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) center;
- The Israel Aerospace Industries “Brown Hazelnut” (Hazelnut Tree) launch control center.
Fully mobile, the Arrow system can be relocated to prepared launch sites as needed, allowing Israel to adapt its missile defense posture in response to shifting threats.
According to the U.S. official quoted by The Wall Street Journal, Washington has been aware of Israel’s diminishing supply of Arrow interceptors for several months. In response, the U.S. has been bolstering Israel’s missile defenses with additional systems deployed on land, at sea, and in the air.
Since the conflict intensified in June, the Pentagon has reinforced the region with more missile defense assets. However, the official noted growing concern that the United States may also begin depleting its stockpile of interceptors if the situation continues to escalate.
“Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day,” a senior U.S. official told The Wall Street Journal, reflecting growing concerns over the sustainability of missile defense efforts in the region.
In response, the IDF stated: “The IDF is prepared and ready to handle any scenario. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on matters related to munitions.”
Since the start of the campaign against Iran, 24 civilians have been killed by missile strikes across Israel. In response, the Ministry of Defense and the Home Front Command have jointly decided to deploy dozens of new shelters in urban centers throughout metropolitan Tel Aviv, beginning this week. Each municipality will choose preferred locations—primarily near schools and public buildings.
Under the plan, shelters will be installed in clusters rather than along traffic routes, targeting areas lacking adequate public shelter infrastructure or buildings without standard fire protection. The aim is to provide rapid, effective protection for groups of civilians, accommodating dozens of people at once.
