Technology: New Israeli Arrow 4 air defense system nears operational status to counter global hypersonic missiles.

According to information published by Israel National News, on July 13, 2025, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) CEO Boaz Levy confirmed that the upcoming Arrow 4 interceptor missile is nearing operational readiness and will soon enter the Israeli air defense architecture. The new interceptor is designed to confront one of the most pressing global threats: hypersonic missiles. Its development comes at a time when adversarial nations are accelerating deployment of hypersonic glide vehicles and maneuverable ballistic warheads, pushing traditional missile defense systems to their limits.
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The new Israeli Arrow 4 is a next-generation interceptor missile designed to defeat advanced ballistic and hypersonic threats with enhanced maneuverability, upgraded sensors, and high-altitude interception capabilities. (Picture source: IAI)

The rise of hypersonic weapons, particularly from China and Russia, has dramatically changed the nature of missile threats worldwide. Hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 while maintaining high maneuverability and low flight trajectories. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable parabolic path, hypersonic missiles can shift direction mid-flight, making interception by conventional missile defense systems far more complex. China's DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle and Russia's Avangard system represent strategic leaps in missile technology, capable of evading most current detection and interception capabilities.

These advancements in hypersonic technology have exposed critical vulnerabilities in many existing air defense systems, including some of the most advanced currently in service. Systems such as the U.S. Patriot PAC-3, THAAD, and even Russia’s own S-400 are not optimized to track and destroy hypersonic targets due to their limited reaction times and reliance on older intercept algorithms. The maneuverability and speed of these weapons reduce the engagement window to mere seconds, often below the threshold of current sensor and interceptor coordination. As a result, defense planners worldwide are urgently seeking systems capable of tracking and neutralizing hypersonic threats in real-time.

The Arrow 4 is Israel’s next-generation response to this evolving threat environment. Jointly developed by IAI and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the system will replace the Arrow 2 and significantly enhance interception capability against both exo-atmospheric and high-altitude endo-atmospheric threats. It is being optimized for rapid response, with advanced seeker technology, improved maneuverability, and a warhead designed for precision targeting of fast, agile hypersonic projectiles. Arrow 4 introduces a new operational doctrine of “shoot-look-shoot,” allowing for mid-course correction and layered engagement during a hypersonic or ballistic missile attack.

IAI CEO Boaz Levy, who has led the Arrow program since its inception, stated that while operational trials for Arrow 4 are officially scheduled to begin within two years, the timeline could be accelerated if global threat levels continue to escalate. This readiness posture reflects growing concerns over the increasing deployment of hypersonic weapons by strategic adversaries such as Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea. Arrow 4 is not only designed to protect Israeli airspace but is also tailored to integrate into international missile defense networks, responding to a global demand for credible hypersonic interception capabilities.

International interest in the Arrow 4 air defense missile system is already mounting. Germany, which procured the Arrow 3 system to bolster its air defense under the European Sky Shield Initiative, is reportedly considering Arrow 4 as a critical next layer to defend against faster and more evasive missile threats. Its modular design and compatibility with multi-national launch platforms make it ideal for coalition defense postures. Furthermore, its emphasis on affordability and mass production addresses the modern combat requirement for volume-interception capability in the face of high-speed saturation attacks.

With Arrow 4, Israel positions itself at the forefront of hypersonic missile defense, offering an advanced, field-ready solution that responds to one of the most serious challenges facing modern militaries. As hypersonic threats grow more prevalent, Arrow 4 may become a key strategic asset for allied nations seeking to reinforce their air and missile defense capabilities against an increasingly unpredictable and high-speed battlefield environment.