Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) CEO Boaz Levy has confirmed that the Arrow 4 interceptor missile is close to entering operational service and will soon be integrated into Israel's air defense system, according to a July 13 report.
The Arrow 4 is being developed in response to one of the most pressing global threats: hypersonic missiles. As rival nations increase deployment of hypersonic drones and maneuverable ballistic warheads, traditional defense systems are becoming less effective.
Arrow 4 is the successor to the Arrow 3 missile but is optimized for shorter ranges and higher accuracy. Meanwhile, development of the next-generation Arrow 5 missile is already underway, intended to eventually replace Arrow 3 and counter the most advanced ballistic threats.
The new system is expected to enter field testing within two years, though that timeline may be accelerated if global threats intensify.