The ministerial committee for arms procurement approved the Defense Ministry's plan for a further significant acceleration of Arrow (Israel's long-range ballistic missile defense system) interceptor production at Israel Aerospace Industries, on a broad scale.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram advanced the deal, which is set to be signed shortly and will substantially increase the production rate and quantity of Arrow system interceptors manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, as part of preparations for the campaign's further development.
The defense industries have already been operating under an accelerated production mandate, at the direction of the Defense Ministry. The ministerial committee's approval will allow the production acceleration to continue expanding.
The Arrow system, developed and manufactured in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency, intercepts ballistic threats in and at the edge of the atmosphere, protecting Israel against long-range strategic threats. It is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world.
The acceleration program is led by the head of the Israel Missile Defense Organization, Moshe Patal, in collaboration with the Budget Division and other divisions within the Defense Ministry.
Israel Aerospace Industries is the primary developer of the Arrow system, in partnership with Stark (a US-based defense contractor). IAI's Elta Division (IAI's electronics and radar subsidiary), the company's TAMAM Plant (IAI's inertial navigation systems subsidiary), Elbit Systems, Tomer (a state-owned Israeli rocket propulsion company), and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems all take part in producing the system.
The US Missile Defense Agency is a key partner of the Directorate of Defense Research & Development's Israel Missile Defense Organization in developing and producing Israel's multi-layered air defense array, which includes the Arrow system, David's Sling (Israel's medium-to-long-range interceptor system), and Iron Dome (Israel's short-range rocket and mortar defense system). The strategic cooperation between Israel and the US helps ensure Israel's technological edge in air defense.
"Israel has enough interceptors"
Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "The large-scale acceleration of Arrow interceptor production is already significantly increasing the number of interceptors produced each month, and is strengthening the top layer of Israel's air defense against the ballistic threats from Iran and its proxies.
"Israel has enough interceptors to defend its citizens, and the current move is designed to ensure continued freedom of action and the operational endurance required.
"The ayatollah regime would do well to understand: Israel is resolute and strong, prepared to continue the campaign for as long as necessary, and is continuing to enhance its offensive and defensive capabilities in the midst of combat."
Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram said, "Over the past year, and with even greater urgency since Operation Rising Lion, the Defense Ministry has been operating on an emergency footing to increase the production rate of multi-layered defense systems – first and foremost the Arrow. The steps we took in advance, together with the defense industries, are what give the IDF the operational endurance it has today. The ministerial committee's approval will allow us to fund the steps we have already taken and to improve our readiness for the months ahead."
