Germany designates Bavaria for second Arrow-3 missile defense installation
The expansion of the exoatmospheric shield marks a shift toward a multi-site architecture designed to protect critical logistics hubs and NATO's eastern flank.
Nao Fujita
Jul 1, 2026 · 1 min read
Bavaria will host the second site for Germany’s Arrow-3 air defense system, expanding the country's capability to intercept ballistic threats above the atmosphere. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the 'Einsatzstellung Süd' will be located in the Kaufbeuren area, with radar systems stationed there and interceptor launchers positioned at the nearby Fliegerhorst Lechfeld. This follows the activation of the first battery at Fliegerhorst Holzdorf earlier this year.
The deployment is part of a broader $6.5 billion investment in the Arrow Weapon System, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. The system uses kinetic impact to destroy incoming missiles at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometers. By placing batteries in both the north and south of the country, the Luftwaffe aims to create a comprehensive shield for civilian infrastructure and the military logistics hubs essential for moving allied forces toward the eastern flank of the NATO alliance.
The full operational rollout of the Arrow architecture is expected to continue through the end of the decade. The procurement marks the first time the Arrow-3 system has been deployed outside of Israel, reflecting a high-priority effort by Berlin to modernize its territorial defense against high-altitude ballistic trajectories.