Why in News? According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), its Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted the majority of the surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran using the Arrow Aerial Defense System.

What is the Arrow Aerial Defense System? It is a surface-to-surface missile system forming an upper tier in Israel's multi-layered air defence system (consisting of Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow). It was developed by Israel's Aerospace Industries, in collaboration with the US Missile Defence Agency. The Arrow 3 defence system is the latest addition (inducted in 2023) to Israel’s air defence capabilities to intercept and neutralise long-range threats in the exo-atmosphere.

How Does the Arrow Defence System Work? The (Green Pine) radar constantly detects incoming threats towards the territory. Once a target is detected, real-time information is relayed to the control centre. The missile is vertically launched, and the two-stage booster powers the rocket to Mach 9. The finned kill vehicle in the rocket can steer its explosion in the direction specified by the missile seeker. If it fails to strike the target, the fragmentation warhead can explode within 40 metres of the target.

What is the Significance of the Arrow Aerial Defense System? It gave Israel the capability to intercept short, medium and long-range missiles with its hit-and-kill approach in the upper atmosphere. The objective is to neutralise the incoming missile before its descent stage.