Arrow-3

Reference data current as of March 2026.

Arrow-3 (Hetz-3) is the outermost layer of Israel's multi-tiered ballistic missile defence architecture. It intercepts threats in space — at altitudes of 100–300 km — during the midcourse phase of ballistic flight, before the warhead re-enters the atmosphere. The interceptor uses a two-stage solid-fuel booster to reach exoatmospheric altitude, where a detachable exoatmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) separates and manoeuvres independently using divert thrusters and an infrared (IIR) seeker to achieve a direct hit-to-kill intercept. This approach destroys the threat through kinetic energy alone, with no explosive warhead. Arrow-3's 2,400 km range gives it enormous defended footprint, and its space-based intercept means debris falls far from populated areas.

• Exoatmospheric intercept (100–300 km altitude) — destroys threats in space
• Hit-to-kill kinetic intercept via detachable EKV with IIR seeker
• 2,400 km range — largest defended footprint of any Israeli interceptor
• Debris falls in space or at extreme altitude, minimising ground risk
• Guided by Green Pine (EL/M-2080) L-band phased-array radar
• Complements Arrow-2 (upper endoatmospheric) and THAAD (terminal)

Arrow-3 achieved its first confirmed combat interceptions on 13 April 2024 during True Promise 1, marking the first confirmed exoatmospheric combat interception in history. It engaged Iranian MRBMs during their midcourse phase above the atmosphere. The system has continued to play a critical role through True Promise operations 2, 3, and 4, serving as the first line of defence against ballistic missiles before they reach Arrow-2 and THAAD engagement zones.

• CSIS Missile Threat — Arrow-3
• Wikipedia — Arrow 3