israel’s Arrow missile defense system, a key pillar of the country’s air defense strategy, is gaining global recognition following its combat-proven success in intercepting Iranian missile barrages in April and October. Now, with growing demand for advanced missile defense, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is eyeing new international partnerships, including potential cooperation with the United States and Gulf nations.
IAI CEO Boaz Levy has hinted at the possibility of expanding the Arrow system’s reach, particularly in the United States, where President Donald Trump has expressed interest in strengthening America’s missile defense capabilities.
“We believe President Trump means he needs something Arrow-like, and we see this as an opportunity to work together in America”
Arrow’s Battle-Tested Performance Against Iranian Attacks
The Arrow system, co-developed by Israel and the United States, serves as Israel’s top-tier defense against long-range ballistic missile threats. It has repeatedly proven its effectiveness in real combat scenarios, including:
- April 13, 2024 – Iran launched over 120 ballistic missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the largest ballistic missile attack in history. The Arrow 3 system intercepted the majority of the missiles in space, marking the first-ever exo-atmospheric missile interceptions.
- October 1, 2024 – Iran escalated its attacks with another 200 ballistic missiles, targeting every major Israeli city. Once again, Arrow systems neutralized the threat, demonstrating their reliability in real-time combat.
With Iran and its proxies continuing to pose threats across the Middle East, interest in missile defense solutions is rising rapidly, making the Arrow system a highly sought-after defense asset.
As the United States faces growing threats from China, Russia, and North Korea, President Trump has signaled interest in enhancing American missile defenses. The IAI sees this as an opportunity to collaborate, potentially integrating Arrow technology into U.S. missile defense programs.
While the U.S. has its own missile defense systems, including the Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) and THAAD, the Arrow’s proven real-world performance could make it a valuable addition to America’s strategic defense capabilities. Given Trump’s strong support for Israel, deeper military cooperation between IAI and U.S. defense contractors could soon materialize.
Gulf Nations Also Express Interest in Arrow
Beyond the U.S., IAI is exploring potential Arrow system sales to Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With Iran’s aggression threatening the region, Gulf states are looking for reliable missile defense solutions. However, any such deals would require U.S. approval, given America’s role in co-developing and funding the Arrow system.
The Abraham Accords have already fostered deeper Israel-Gulf defense cooperation, and as tensions with Iran escalate, it is likely that more Arab nations will seek Israeli missile defense technology.
With its battle-tested success, the Arrow system is no longer just an Israeli defense tool, it is now a globally recognized strategic asset. As threats from Iran, China, and Russia continue to rise, demand for advanced missile defense solutions will only grow.
