Arrow-2

Reference data current as of March 2026.

Arrow-2 (Hetz-2) is the backbone of Israel's ballistic missile defence, operational since 2000 and the second-oldest layer in the multi-tier architecture. Unlike Arrow-3's hit-to-kill approach, Arrow-2 uses a directional high-explosive blast-fragmentation warhead to destroy incoming ballistic missiles in the upper endoatmosphere (10–50 km altitude). The interceptor is a two-stage solid-fuel missile reaching Mach 9, guided by command updates during midcourse flight and switching to an active radar seeker for autonomous terminal homing. It is directed by the Green Pine (EL/M-2080) phased-array radar, the same sensor that cues Arrow-3. Arrow-2 catches threats that penetrate the exoatmospheric Arrow-3 layer — missiles that were either missed or that Arrow-3 did not engage.

• Upper-endoatmospheric intercept (10–50 km) — catches threats below Arrow-3's engagement zone
• Directional blast-fragmentation warhead — does not require direct hit
• Mach 9 interceptor speed with active radar terminal seeker
• Guided by Green Pine (EL/M-2080) L-band phased-array radar
• Operational since 2000 — Israel's most mature BMD system
• Complements Arrow-3 (exoatmospheric) above and THAAD/David's Sling below

Arrow-2 achieved its first combat interceptions on 13 April 2024 during True Promise 1, engaging Iranian MRBMs in the upper endoatmosphere. It has been a critical component of the defence during all four True Promise operations, providing the second intercept opportunity for ballistic missiles that were not engaged or missed by Arrow-3. Its blast-fragmentation warhead is particularly effective against targets that may be manoeuvring (MaRV-equipped missiles), where a direct hit-to-kill intercept is more challenging.

• CSIS Missile Threat — Arrow-2
• Wikipedia — Arrow missile family