The Israeli government has contracted Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to expand the serial production of Arrow-3 missile defense system interceptors.
The multi-billion-shekel deal will ensure the supply of a greater number of Arrow-3 interceptors amid ballistic missile attacks on Israel by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Jointly developed by Israel and the US, the system is designed to take out ballistic missiles outside of the atmosphere.
It has a reported range of 2,400 kilometers (1,490 miles) and reaches an altitude of over 100 kilometers (62 miles).
The Arrow demonstrated “unprecedented performance” during the Iran missile attacks both on April 14 and October 1 earlier this year, the Israeli Ministry of Defense stated.
Arrow-3
IAI is the prime contractor to develop the system and its interceptors through its MLM division in partnership with US firm Stark Aerospace.
IAI’s ELTA and TAMAM divisions, along with Elbit Systems, Tomer, and Rafael, have contributed to the system’s production.
The long-range Arrow is an integral part of Israel’s multi-layered air defense architecture, which also includes the medium-range David’s Sling and short-range Iron Dome systems.
Houthi Attack
The deal comes on the heels of the first employment of the US-made THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, to intercept a Houthi-fired ballistic missile on Israel on Friday.
The system was deployed in October and its maiden use in Israel is being analyzed to determine its success, Reuters revealed, citing a source.
Over 200 missiles and 170 drones have reportedly been fired by the rebel group on Israel since the war in Gaza began a year ago.
The strikes, the Yemen-based group says, are in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
