Israel’s Arrow 3 makes operational debut

The Israeli MoD released a file photo of an Arrow 3 interceptor being launched to illustrate the first operational use of the missile on 9 November. (Israeli Ministry of Defense)

Israel used a long-range Arrow 3 exoatmospheric ballistic missile interceptor operationally for the first time on 9 November, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced later that day.

The Arrow 3 is one of two interceptors that can be launched by the Arrow Weapon System (AWS), the other being the Arrow 2 that is designed to counter ballistic missiles after they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Israeli Air Defense Array soldiers successfully launched an Arrow 3 interceptor operationally for the first time this evening [at a] target launched towards Israel in the Red Sea region,” the MoD said in a statement on 9 November. “This marks the Arrow 3 system’s first operational interception since its operational deployment in 2017. This achievement follows the recent success of the first operational interception carried out by the Arrow 2 system last week.”