Israel has offered to help Germany strengthen its defense systems by manufacturing the Iron Dome air defense system on German soil.
The offer comes amid ongoing threats from Iranian missile attacks, with Israel’s defense industry providing crucial technologies to safeguard Europe’s security.
In an exclusive interview with Bild, Yuval Steinitz, a board member of Rafael, the Israeli defense contractor behind the Iron Dome, explained the system’s significance in defending Israel and its potential to protect Europe.
“We would be happy if we could export more technology, more know-how to Germany, thereby also creating jobs in Germany,” Steinitz said.
The Iron Dome, part of Israel’s tiered air defense system, intercepts short-range missiles and rockets aimed at the Jewish state, as well as drones.
Since its implementation in 2011, the system has been credited with saving thousands of lives and preventing massive damage to Israel’s economy.
Steinitz emphasized the importance of the system, highlighting its impact during recent conflicts.
“Since the attack on October 7, 2023, by Hamas, almost 50,000 rockets and other projectiles have been fired at us from all over the Middle East,” he explained.
“Without our air defense, especially without the Iron Dome, we would today be mourning a tremendous blood toll in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. Our economy would have collapsed.”
Steinitz warned that the threat facing Israel could also affect Europe. “If Iran and other countries can threaten and intimidate the European continent so easily, and Europe stands without any defense, then Europe becomes vulnerable to blackmail,” he said.
The Rafael board member also introduced the company’s latest innovation, the Iron Beam laser weapon, a breakthrough in missile and drone defense.
The laser system uses light to destroy targets, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile defense systems. “A laser shot costs just $2, less than a hot dog on the street, because all you need is electricity,” Steinitz said.
He described the laser technology as a “revolution,” explaining that it reduces the cost per interception from millions of dollars to just a few dollars, making defense systems more affordable for countries under threat.
Raphael says Iron Dome could help the 'defense of all of Europe'
In addition to offering the Iron Dome, Steinitz proposed that Germany take part in producing these advanced technologies locally. Rafael already manufactures several defense systems, including the Trophy anti-tank system and the anti-tank Multi-Role Light Guided Missile System (MELLS), in Germany.
“We can help Germany produce our technologies and contribute to the defense of all of Europe,” he said.
The cost of defending cities like Berlin would be significantly reduced with the Iron Dome. According to Steinitz, “Iron Dome currently has the cheapest intercept missiles worldwide. While other systems cost between $5 million-$10 m., Iron Dome is priced at $150,000 per missile.”
Steinitz also used the opportunity to express his views on the growing wave of antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
“Either you’re an anti-Zionist or a pro-Zionist. If you’re anti-Zionist, you’re against a protected Israel; you want to erase and destroy the state of the Jews,” he stated. He criticized calls for boycotts, warning that such demands amounted to a call for the sacrifice of millions of Jews.