Germany Announces Second Arrow 3 Missile Defense Site in Bavaria
Germany has selected Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, as the second location for its Arrow 3 missile defense system, designated 'Operational Position South.' Following the first site commissioned in Brandenburg in December 2025, this expansion is part of a $6.5 billion contract—Israel's largest arms export. The Israeli-origin system, adapted for German conditions, intercepts ballistic missiles above 100 km altitude, protecting critical infrastructure, population centers, and NATO’s eastern flank logistics hub. Full operational rollout across multiple sites is expected through the decade.
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Germany expands its exoatmospheric missile shield with second Arrow-3 deployment
Germany is expanding its territorial missile defense system with a second Arrow-3 battery in Bavaria, the Bundeswehr announced. The southern site, near Kaufbeuren, will host the radar, while interceptor launchers will be at nearby Fliegerhorst Lechfeld. This follows the activation of the first Arrow-3 battery at Fliegerhorst Holzdorf/Schönewalde near Berlin in December 2025, the system's first deployment outside Israel. The expansion is part of a broader procurement acceleration, including a $3.1 billion follow-on contract signed in December to increase interceptor and launcher stocks, bringing total German purchases past $6.5 billion. The Arrow system, developed with Israel Aerospace Industries, provides Germany its first capability to intercept ballistic missiles above the atmosphere (above 100 km). Full rollout across multiple sites, including a planned northern site in Schleswig-Holstein, is expected through the end of the decade. The ministry emphasizes the system's role in protecting population, infrastructure, and military, and supporting NATO logistics.
Defense NewsGermany Confirms Second Arrow-3 Missile Shield Site in Bavaria
Germany is expanding its Arrow-3 territorial missile defense system with a second deployment in Bavaria, the Bundeswehr announced. The southern operational position will place the radar in Kaufbeuren and interceptor launchers at Fliegerhorst Lechfeld, complementing the first battery activated near Berlin at Fliegerhorst Holzdorf/Schönewalde in December 2025. The Arrow Weapon System for Germany (AWS-G), developed with Israel Aerospace Industries, provides Germany's first exoatmospheric interception capability against ballistic missiles, destroying targets above 100 kilometers through kinetic impact. The expansion follows a $3.1 billion follow-on contract signed in December to increase interceptor and launcher stocks, pushing total German investment beyond $6.5 billion. Officials describe the system as a defensive shield for population centers, critical infrastructure, and military assets, while supporting NATO logistics toward the eastern flank. The full operational rollout across multiple sites is expected to continue through the end of the decade.
Defense NewsGermany expands its exoatmospheric missile shield with second Arrow-3 deployment
Germany is expanding its territorial missile shield with a second Arrow-3 air defense site in Bavaria, the Bundeswehr announced. The new 'Einsatzstellung Süd' will place the radar in Kaufbeuren and interceptor launchers at nearby Fliegerhorst Lechfeld. This follows the activation of the first Arrow-3 battery near Berlin in December 2025, the system's first deployment outside Israel. The expansion is part of a broader acceleration of Arrow procurement, including a $3.1 billion follow-on contract signed in December to increase interceptor and launcher stocks, pushing total German purchases past $6.5 billion. The Defense Ministry emphasizes the system's role in early warning and protection of population, infrastructure, and military assets, as well as supporting NATO's eastern flank. Full operational rollout across multiple sites is expected through the end of the decade.
Defense NewsGermany Selects Kaufbeuren, Bavaria as Second Arrow 3 Missile Defense Site
The German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) announced the establishment of a second Arrow 3 missile defense system location, designated 'Operational Position South,' in the greater Kaufbeuren area of Bavaria. This follows the first site at Holzdorf Air Base in Schönewalde, Brandenburg, which was commissioned in December 2025. The Arrow Weapon System for Germany (AWS-G) is an Israeli-origin long-range air defense system adapted for German conditions, including heating coils for colder temperatures. With a range of approximately 2,400 km, the system is designed to detect and intercept ballistic missiles above 100 km altitude using kinetic impact. The total contract is valued at over 6.5 billion USD, making it Israel's largest arms export deal. The system aims to protect Germany's role as a logistics hub for NATO, particularly in supporting allied forces on the eastern flank. The Inspector of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Holger Neumann, thanked Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder for support.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikGermany Announces Second Arrow 3 Missile Defense Site in Bavaria
The German Ministry of Defence (BMVg) has announced the establishment of a second Arrow 3 missile defense system location, designated 'Operational Position South', in the Kaufbeuren region of Bavaria. This follows the first site at Holzdorf Air Base in Schönewalde, Brandenburg, which was commissioned in December 2025. The Arrow Weapon System for Germany (AWS-G), originally Israeli, is a purely defensive system designed to detect and intercept ballistic missiles above 100 km altitude, protecting critical infrastructure, the population, and NATO's logistical hub in Germany. The system required Germanization, including adding heating coils for colder temperatures. The total contract value exceeds $6.5 billion, making it Israel's largest arms export. Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder and the state government were thanked for their support. The system has a range of approximately 2,400 km and is considered the most capable missile defense system in the Western world.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikGermany Announces Second Arrow 3 Missile Defense Site in Bavaria
The German Federal Ministry of Defence has announced the second location for the Arrow missile defense system in the greater Kaufbeuren area of Bavaria, designated as the 'operational position South'. This follows the first site in Schönewalde, Brandenburg, which was commissioned in December 2025. The Arrow 3 system, originally Israeli, is a purely defensive long-range air defense system capable of detecting and intercepting ballistic missiles above 100 km altitude, with a range of approximately 2,400 km. The system has been adapted for German conditions, including heating coils for colder temperatures. The total contract value exceeds $6.5 billion, making it Israel's largest arms export deal. The Inspector of the Air Force thanked Bavarian officials for their support, emphasizing the system's role in protecting critical infrastructure and NATO's logistical hub in Germany.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und Wehrtechnik