Berlin / Tel Aviv (dpa) – Israel has received permission from the US to sell its Arrow 3 missile defence system to Germany. The US approval was seen as the final major obstacle to the historic contract between Germany and Israel. The negotiations had got underway following the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine last year. The next step will see representatives of the Israeli and German defence ministries, and of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), sign a letter of commitment. Once the parliaments of both countries have given their approval, the final contract is expected to be signed towards the end of the year. Israel’s Defence Minister Joav Galant said: “It is also particularly meaningful for every Jewish person that Germany is acquiring Israeli defence capabilities.”
The budget and defence committees of the German Bundestag had already voted in favour of the purchase. The costs will amount to nearly four billion euros. On Germany’s initiative, Arrow 3 is to become part of a new European air defence system from 2025. It can destroy hostile weapons systems at altitudes of up to 100 kilometres.
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