Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Arrow missile production has increased threefold since he took office and defended Israel’s missile defense capabilities, following what he described as “distortions” in media reporting on the program, in a post on X, Sunday.
Katz said that upon entering office, he defined Arrow production expansion as one of two top priorities in the munitions sector, and instructed all relevant defense bodies to advance it “both financially and practically,” while personally overseeing implementation.
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Each Arrow interceptor costs between $2 million and $3 million. Credit: Defense Ministry
Each Arrow interceptor costs between $2 million and $3 million. Credit: Defense Ministry
He said production is expected to rise further under the “Shield of Israel” program, a 10-year, $100 billion defense build-up plan led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the defense establishment.
Katz said Israel is “very strong in defense and also in offense,” adding that all offensive and defensive capabilities are reviewed in advance of major operations, including those against Iran, “to ensure maximum protection of the Israeli home front.”
He also thanked the United States for what he described as significant assistance in home-front defense coordination ahead of military activity.
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A THAAD missile defense system deployed to Israel. U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin was reportedly producing just 20 interceptor missiles per year last June. Credit: IDF/U.S. Army Europe
A THAAD missile defense system deployed to Israel. U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin was reportedly producing just 20 interceptor missiles per year last June. Credit: IDF/U.S. Army Europe
Rejecting claims of political interference in defense industry appointments, Katz called such reports “baseless,” and said he has worked directly with Israel Aerospace Industries leadership and senior defense officials to advance production targets and secure budget approvals.