Germany Deploys Israeli Arrow-3 Missile Defense Battery at Former Nazi Base in Bavaria

The German Ministry of Defense announced the deployment of an additional Arrow-3 missile defense battery, an Israeli-developed system, at the Kaufbeuren airbase in Bavaria, southwest of Munich. This follows the initial deployment near Berlin at the Schönewald/Holzdorf site. Kaufbeuren airbase was originally built by the Nazi regime in 1935, located about 70 kilometers from the Dachau concentration camp. While officially an air force training base, it covertly housed a Nazi intelligence agency, uncovered by American forces after capturing the base in 1945.

Germany acquired the Arrow missile system and interceptors through two separate deals totaling $6.5 billion, marking the largest defense export transaction in Israel's history. In December 2025, Israel formally handed over the Arrow-3 system to the German military at the German Air Force base near Berlin. The Israeli delegation was led by Amir Baram, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, alongside Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor.

The Arrow-3 system, jointly developed by Israel's Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense Research and Development ("Homa") and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), has demonstrated impressive operational capabilities with hundreds of successful interceptions during recent conflicts. Israel Aerospace Industries serves as the prime contractor for the air defense system, interceptors, and radar. Elbit Systems develops the command and control system, while Tomer, the government-owned rocket propulsion company, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are key subcontractors for the Arrow-3 interceptor development and production.