Germany’s New Muscular Foreign Policy ‘Lies in the Hands of Strong Women’
New York TimesNov 19, 2021
Germany Approves Funds for Israeli Arrow-3 Missiles
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The Facts
Germany’s parliament and budget committee reportedly gave the green light to release advance payments of up to €560M ($607M) on Wednesday for a planned purchase of Israel’s Arrow-3 air defense system in a deal valued at nearly €4B ($4.3B).
Israeli manufacturer Israeli Aerospace Industries says the system is designed to shoot down missiles above the Earth's atmosphere from up to 2.4K km (1,490 miles) away. It will reportedly be able to shield other EU nations.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Following Russia’s war on Ukraine, it has become obvious to the West, and Europe in particular, that it must modernize its military defenses. With the acquisition of the Israeli Arrow-3 system and the purchase of the German IRIS-T SLM system — which was also approved Wednesday — Germany is securing an Iron Dome-style air defense system that will help build up a protective umbrella to defend its neighbors as well.
Establishment-critical narrative
The purchase of the Arrow-3 anti-missile system is nothing more than wasteful government spending. The nation's eagerness to burn almost €4B — €1B more than originally estimated — reveals its distorted sense of priorities and a blatant waste of taxpayers' hard-earned money. By indulging in such a costly acquisition, Germany is neglecting other key areas, such as social programs, economic development, and infrastructure.