The Arrow 3 system was first deployed in an Israeli air force base in 2017 and has since been used by the zionist regime against missile strikes. (File photo by AFP)

Germany has begun operating the Arrow 3 missile system it purchased from the Israeli regime, moving ahead with military cooperation that continues despite the genocidal war on Gaza.

The first components of the system were commissioned on Wednesday at the Schönewalde/Holzdorf air base in Brandenburg. Officials said two additional sites are planned.

Military spokesperson Col. Mitko Müller stated that more elements would be added gradually, with the system eventually feeding into NATO and EU air-defense structures.

The launch of the Israeli-made system comes as Israel faces widespread international condemnation over its war on Gaza, where over two years of bombardment have caused large-scale civilian casualties and destruction. Rights groups and several governments have urged Western states to reassess weapons cooperation with Tel Aviv.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius defended the acquisition, saying it was aimed at bolstering protection against long-range missile threats. In remarks to dpa, he said the system would improve early-warning capabilities and enhance Germany`s role within NATO.

Germany claims it is concerned about an imminent strike from Russia, expecting Russian forces to attack NATO member states and the European Union.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul claimed new intelligence assessments found Russian forces making preparations for a future attack.

The Foreign Ministry declared in a statement that it had received warnings in this regard. "Our intelligence services are issuing urgent warnings: at the very least, Russia is creating the option for itself to wage war against NATO by 2029," the statement said.

In the meantime, Germany`s Defense Ministry put the total cost of the deal for the Israeli-made Arrow 3 missile system at 3.8 billion euros ($4.4 billion).

Berlin and Tel Aviv signed the deal in September 2023, weeks after the Israeli regime received Washington`s approval.

The Arrow 3 missile system is jointly developed and produced by the Israeli regime and the United States.

From October 7, 2023, to June 5, 2025, Germany authorized arms sales to Israel totaling more than 492 million euros ($573 million).

Germany concluded military procurement agreements with Israeli firms and exported large quantities of weapons to the Israeli regime forces despite growing public opposition over the genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Due to public pressure from the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, an avid Israeli supporter, ordered restrictions on arms exports to Israel in August.

Merz later lifted these restrictions, citing the shaky US-brokered October 10 Gaza ceasefire.