Germany has activated an exo-atmospheric missile defense capability for the first time in its history. The Bundeswehr confirmed the initial operational capability (IOC) of the Arrow Weapon System Germany (AWS-G) at Schönewalde/Holzdorf Air Base, marking the first tangible step in building a protective shield against medium- and long-range ballistic missiles.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the milestone as “the addition of the outermost layer of our air defense,” emphasizing that Germany is acquiring early-warning and interception capabilities against ballistic threats before they reenter the atmosphere. “Germany’s security also means Europe’s security. And today we close a gap that has been open for decades,” he said.

Protected site of the Green Pine radar and quadruple battery of Arrow III interceptors. Photo: Bundeswehr
Protected site of the Green Pine radar and quadruple battery of Arrow III interceptors. Photo: Bundeswehr

Germany is now the only country in the world, besides Israel, to operate the Arrow III exo-atmospheric interceptor—a system designed to destroy ballistic missiles at the edge of space using hit-to-kill technology. The development comes as part of an accelerated modernization effort driven by the war in Ukraine, tensions with Russia, and the growing global proliferation of medium-range missiles.

A new layer in Europe’s multi-tier defense architecture

The Arrow III completes the upper layer of the future multi-tier air and missile defense system Germany has been building since 2022 under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). Until now, Germany’s missile defense relied on:

  • IRIS-T SLM, for short- to medium-range threats below 20 km altitude.
  • Patriot PAC-3 MSE, for medium-range ballistic threats up to 50 km altitude.

The new Arrow sits above both systems, offering:

  • Exo-atmospheric interception above 100 km altitude.
  • An estimated range of 2,400 km.
  • Hit-to-kill technology, neutralizing targets without an explosive warhead and reducing the risk of debris falling over populated areas.
Infographic showing how the Arrow missile defense system works, published by the Bundeswehr.
Infographic showing how the Arrow missile defense system works, published by the Bundeswehr.

The Bundeswehr describes Arrow III as the “top layer of a multi-level protective shield,” essential for defending German territory, NATO infrastructure, and logistical corridors across the country—key elements in any defense scenario on Europe’s eastern flank.

Holzdorf, the first node of the German shield

Schönewalde/Holzdorf Air Base was selected as the first site due to its strategic position and command-and-control infrastructure. It already hosts the Israeli Super Green Pine radar, the core of the system, capable of detecting and tracking ballistic missiles at long range during the space phase.

With the IOC declared, Germany now fields its first launchers, radars, control centers, and certified operators. The system is not yet at full capacity but can conduct limited defense and early-warning operations. Full operational capability is expected by 2030, when at least two additional sites—one in Bavaria and another in Schleswig-Holstein—are added and the system is fully integrated into NATO’s air defense network.

The Bundeswehr notes that developing a European exo-atmospheric defense system would have taken a decade or more. Faced with an urgent geopolitical environment, Berlin opted for a combat-proven solution: Arrow III demonstrated its capabilities in 2023 when it intercepted a real ballistic missile over the Red Sea.

“We need to close gaps today, not ten years from now,” German military officials say. For the first time, Germany gains a national early-warning capability against long-range threats—a key factor along the East–West axis.

The contract with Israel—the largest bilateral defense agreement between the two nations—includes not only the interceptors but also years of technical support, training, and a complete integration package for German infrastructure.

A impact that extends beyond Germany

The deployment of Arrow III reshapes Europe’s air defense architecture. As a central country on the continent, Germany is the logistical backbone for reinforcing Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and the Baltic states in the event of a conflict in the east. Protecting that corridor becomes a strategic imperative for NATO.

The Arrow also gives the European Sky Shield Initiative—led by Germany and joined by more than 20 nations—its first genuinely strategic capability, complementing IRIS-T systems and driving the standardization of a multinational air defense network.

Austria and Switzerland want to participate in the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative

The beginning of a new European shield

With the Arrow III IOC, Germany activates a protective shield that not only covers its own territory but also strengthens the security of its neighbors and raises the deterrence threshold in a continent once again facing long-range ballistic threats.

It is a step that blends politics, technology, and strategy: a system designed to intercept missiles in outer space, but whose real impact will be felt across European security for the next decade.