Germany mulls purchasing Israel’s Arrow 3 anti-missile shield

Move comes amid jitters over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; $2.2 billion system could provide cover for neighbors too

Germany is looking at buying an Israeli anti-missile shield system that could also offer protective cover for neighboring EU states, parliamentary sources said Sunday, as Russia’s invasion prompts Berlin to ramp up its defense.

While the decision has not been finalized, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, which lead a three-way coalition, are in favor, said Bild daily.

“We must better protect ourselves against the Russian threat. To do that, we need quickly an anti-missile shield for Germany,” said Andreas Schwarz of the SPD, who sits on the parliamentary budget committee.

“The Israeli Arrow 3 system is a good solution,” he told Bild daily, referring to the long-range missile interceptor weapon.

According to Bild, the system, which costs two billion euros ($2.2 billion), could be operational from 2025.