BERLIN (AP) — Germany on Wednesday inaugurated the first elements of the sophisticated Arrow 3 missile defense system, which it is buying from Israel as it moves to strengthen its air defenses following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Arrow 3 is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. The first part of the system was inaugurated at the Schönewalde base south of Berlin, and more sites are to follow.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that, with the new system, Germany is for the first time obtaining early-warning and protection capability against long-range ballistic missiles.
“With this strategic capability, which is unique among our European partners, we are securing our central role at the heart of Europe,” Pistorius said in a statement. “So we are protecting not just ourselves but also our partners.”
Germany and Israel signed an agreement for Berlin to buy the system in September 2023, weeks after Israel secured U.S. approval for the deal. That was needed because the system was developed jointly with the United States.
Germany's Defense Ministry puts the total cost of the project at 3.8 billion euros ($4.4 billion). Spokesperson Mitko Müller said the plan is for further elements to be put in place step by step.
Germany aims to integrate the system into wider NATO and European air defense efforts.
Israel has long relied on a multilayered missile defense system, including the Arrow, to protect communities around the country from rocket barrages from militants in Gaza or Lebanon, and more recently from rebels in Yemen and from Iran.
FILE - German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, right, and his then counterpart from Isreal, Joav Galant, left, shake hands in Berlin, Germany, Thursday Sept. 28. 2023 after signing a contract to purchase the Arrow 3 missile defense system. (Britta Pedersen/dpa via AP, File)
The launcher of the new Arrow 3 missile defense system stands in front of the radome in Annaburger Heide, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
The launcher of the new Arrow 3 missile defense system stands in front of the radome in Annaburger Heide, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP)
NEW DELHI (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday at an annual summit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties on the second day of his state visit.
The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the United States pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global cooperation. They will test New Delhi’s efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.
Putin was received by Modi at an airport in New Delhi on Thursday, who gave the visting leader a bear hug and a tight handshake with the gusto of an old friend.
According to Indian officials involved in the preparation for the summit, the agenda includes talks on defense, energy and labor mobility.
While India has historically maintained deep ties with Russia, critics say Putin’s visit could strain relations with the European Union and the United States and might jeopardize negotiations for major trade agreements with both that are seen as critical for India’s exports.
U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August, citing New Delhi's discounted Russian oil. India has been the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China.
The U.S. says purchases of Russian oil help finance Moscow’s war machine. In October, U.S. sanctioned two of Moscow’s biggest oil producers to force countries like India to cut down on imports. Indian officials have said New Delhi has always abided by international sanctions and would do so in the case of Russia oil purchases as well.
India and the U.S. set a target for the first tranche of a trade deal by the fall, but the deal hasn’t come through yet amid strains in relations.
India is also in the final stages of talks on a trade agreement with the EU, which sees Russia's war in Ukraine as a major threat.
In his meeting with Putin, Modi is likely to push for faster delivery of two further more Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. It has already received three under a 2018 deal worth about $5.4 billion. The delay has been tied to supply chain disruptions linked to the war in Ukraine.
The two sides signed a pact in February to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance and logistics support. Moscow’s State Duma ratified the same ahead of Putin’s India visit.
Talks are also expected on upgrading India’s Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerating deliveries of critical military hardware.
Trade is also expected to be a major point in talks.
Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $68.7 billion in the last fiscal year ended March, while the aim is to boost it to $100 billion by 2030. The trade is heavily skewed in favor of Russia with deep deficits for India, which it is looking to bridge by pushing exports.
India is keen to increase exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture and textiles to Russia and is seeking the removal of non-tariff barriers. New Delhi is also seeking long-term supplies of fertilizers from Moscow.
Another key area where the two countries are expected to finalize an agreement is the safety and regulation of migration of Indian skilled workers to Russia.
Putin last visited India in 2021. Modi was in Moscow last year, and the two leaders briefly met in September in China during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Hussain reported from Srinagar, India.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, shakes hands with Indian President Droupadi Murmu as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, looks on during a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, poses for a photograph with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Indian President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo)
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during an interview with journalists and executives of Aaj Tak and India Today TV channels at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks during an interview with journalists and executives of Aaj Tak and India Today TV channels at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit inside a limousine as they arrive at the Indian Prime Minister office in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
