Germany moves closer to acquiring Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system

Germany has taken what could become its first step toward acquiring Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, though the path from an industrial agreement to a German deployment remains open.

A letter of intent signed by the German state of Lower Saxony, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Aurelius Capital will turn Volkswagen’s site in Osnabrück into a center of excellence for innovative security and defense solutions. The project is intended to combine German engineering, industrial capital and quality standards.

The agreement does not itself commit Germany to buying Iron Dome. Sources familiar with the plan told Defense & Tech that Germany could later procure the interceptor. The country already operates Israel’s Arrow 3 system, produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, and has been strengthening its defenses as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

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With the idea that the technology will be fully produced in Germany, to protect Germany and Europe

Rafael has maintained a presence in Germany for more than 20 years through subsidiaries including Dynamit Nobel Defence, EuroSpike and EuroTrophy GmbH. Yoav Tourgeman, Rafael’s president and chief executive, said the partnership formed part of a long-term relationship with Germany, with the goal of producing the technology fully inside the country.

“The technology at the heart of this partnership is built for the defense of today, tomorrow, and well beyond,” Tourgeman said. Iron Dome was initially designed to intercept short-range rockets and has become a central part of Israel’s layered air defense system over the past 15 years.

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The technology at the heart of this partnership is built for the defense of today, tomorrow, and well beyond