Arrow 3 interceptor

The Arrow 3 interceptor is the exo-atmospheric, hit-to-kill missile in Israel's Arrow Weapon System. IAI describes it as the system's upper-tier layer for longer-range ballistic threats, with a two-stage booster and sustainer, a high-resolution electro-optical sensor, and very short reaction time.

Arrow 3 interceptor, Exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor, Munitions

Image source: Wikimedia Commons IAF Arrow 3 sq1666

Profile

Origin: Israel / United States
Built by: Israel Aerospace Industries
Built in: Israel
Type: Exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor
Service note: 2013-present
Produced: 2010s-present

air defense SAM missile defense

Specifications

Role: Upper-tier exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor
Stages: Two-stage interceptor with booster and sustainer
Kill mechanism: Hit-to-kill warhead
Sensor: High-resolution long-range electro-optical sensor
Propulsion: Two solid propulsion stages
Engagement: Large kinematic envelope for long-range threat engagement

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Operational with Israel's Arrow Weapon System; Israel's Ministry of Defense says Arrow 3 performed its first operational interception in space during the war and has since intercepted multiple threats.
Used by: Israeli Air Force

Arrow Weapon System

IAI says Arrow 3 is part of the Arrow Weapon System, which it describes as the world's first operational, national, stand-alone anti-tactical ballistic missile defense system.

Carrier system	Role	Evidence
Arrow air-defense system	Upper-tier ballistic missile defense system	IAI identifies Arrow 3 as part of the Arrow Weapon System and says it is the system's exo-atmospheric interceptor for long-range threat engagement.

Arrow 3 interceptor Images

Arrow 3 interceptor, Exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons IAF Arrow 3 sq1666

Arrow 3 interceptor, Exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Arrow 3 missiles 2022-01-18

Arrow 3 interceptor, Exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor, Munitions - view 3 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Arrow-3 Feb-25-2013 (1)

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Sources

Arrow 3 - Precise Long-Range InterceptorPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports Arrow 3 manufacturer, background, and specifications, including its Arrow Weapon System role, two-stage hit-to-kill design, electro-optical sensor, and exo-atmospheric threat engagement. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Israel MOD and IAI Sign Major Deal to Expand Procurement of Arrow-3 InterceptorsPublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports Arrow 3 background and operational context, including the Arrow Weapon System's Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors and the interceptor's combat-proven status. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Arrow 3 Canisters Production Moved to the USPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports IAI prime-contractor context and Arrow 3 interceptor production and system-integration responsibilities. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons IAF Arrow 3 sq1666Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing for the main Arrow 3 image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Arrow 3 missiles 2022-01-18Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and release context for the 2022 Arrow 3 test image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Arrow-3 Feb-25-2013 (1)Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain status for the 2013 Arrow 3 flight-test image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23