Israel's Defense Ministry said it has signed a billion-shekel agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries to expand production of Arrow 3 interceptor missiles, the Times of Israel reported.

The order to supply more interceptors for the long-range air defense system follows an increase in ballistic missile attacks on Israel by the Yemeni Houthis in recent days, the media outlet said.

The Arrow 3 system is designed to defeat ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, and it has been used repeatedly against attacks by the Houthis, as well as against direct Iranian attacks on Israel in April and October.

Under the terms of the deal, according to the ministry, IAI will provide the military with a “significant number” of Arrow 3 interceptors worth billions of shekels.