Arrow 4 anti-missile defense system to possibly be deployed in coming months, IAI CEO Levy says

Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy said that the Arrow 4, which will replace the Arrow 2, “will elevate the success of Israeli shoot-down capabilities.”

Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy on Tuesday signaled new progress on the Arrow 4 anti-missile defense system and the possibility of deploying it within the coming months.

In some of his most extensive remarks about the next generation anti-missile defense system, he said, “When we plan for a new [military] campaign, we look at the solutions for the threats of tomorrow, and not only the already existing threats. The way we achieve the capability to advance our response to the varying threats, and this is how the Arrow 4, which will replace the Arrow 2, will operate.”

“The Arrow 3 and 4 systems will bring new and advanced shoot-down capabilities against aerial targets. With the help of the Arrow 4, we will elevate the success of Israeli shoot-down capabilities,” said Levy.

In December, German Air Defense Commander Col. Dennis Kruger told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview that Berlin will for sure purchase the Arrow 4 and 5 systems, which are currently under development.

Kruger quickly shot back, “I can give you a clear yes to that,” when asked about purchasing the new systems shortly after showing off the purchase and deployment of the Arrow 3 from Israel and IAI.

In December, Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram also noted progress regarding the Arrow 4.

Moreover, as far back as June 2025, Levy discussed the future replacement of the Arrow 2 missile defense system with the Arrow 4 system.

No estimate delivery date for Arrow 4 system

Although the development of the Arrow 4 was first announced in 2021, there has not been an estimated delivery date, and such new systems can take a decade or more from initial development.

But Levy’s disclosure on Tuesday came after a flurry of public discussion about it, and the three ballistic missile attacks from Iran on Israel in 2024-2025 had increased expectations that the system might be ready sooner than originally expected.

The Arrow 2 and 4 systems shoot down ballistic missiles within Earth’s atmosphere, while the Arrow 3 shoots them down outside of the atmosphere.

In addition, the Arrow 4 may be able to shoot down certain hypersonic missile threats, a new, more maneuverable missile threat that Russia and China have been working hard to develop, and other countries, like Iran, may eventually get closer to producing.