The Czech Republic will acquire four Israeli Spyder air defense systems
Prague plans to buy four mobile systems from Israel’s Rafael, in addition to the four batteries ordered in 2021. Two of those have already been delivered.
Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna confirmed before Parliament’s defence committee that arrangements had been made to acquire four Spyder systems in their “All-in-One” configuration, the Czech news agency ČTK reports.
This version combines a radar, electro-optical sensors, a command system, and Python and Derby interceptor missiles on a single vehicle. Designed to protect sites and mobile units, the Spyder can intercept drones, aircraft, and helicopters, among other threats.
The four new systems will be added to the four batteries ordered in 2021 under a $620 million intergovernmental agreement. The contract also included radars manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). All four batteries have been produced, and two have already arrived in the Czech Republic.
With that initial order, Prague became the first NATO member to acquire a complete Israeli air defense system.