Czech Republic seeks to purchase Israeli air defense system

[TR_123456]

Czech defense ministry expects to ink deal worth some $430 million for Rafael’s SPYDER, says system will be key to modernizing its military

Illustrative: An F-16 fighter jet flies past the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, during a performance by the Singapore Air Force aerobatics team Black Knights at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, February 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)


Airshow in Singapore, February 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)



PRAGUE — The Czech Republic wants to buy a new air defense system for its military from the Israeli government, the country’s defense ministry said on Friday.
The Czechs want to acquire the SPYDER system, which is made by the Israeli state-run company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and is capable of providing protection against aircraft, helicopters, bombers, cruise missiles and other weapons.

Czech Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar said the Israeli system would be key to modernizing the Czech armed forces.


It would replace an obsolete anti-aircraft Soviet-era 2K12 KUB system to defend military and civilian centers such as industrial hubs, nuclear power plants, airports and other important facilities.

The Czech military said it had analyzed nine systems from seven producers before deciding on the Israeli one.

The defense ministry expects a deal worth some $430 million to be signed early in 2021 with the delivery two years later.

Czech Republic seeks to purchase Israeli air defense system

Czech defense ministry expects to ink deal worth some $430 million for Rafael's SPYDER, says system will be key to modernizing its military

www.timesofisrael.com

 

[Test7]

Czech military to purchase 4 Israeli aerial defense batteries

SPYDER is a quick reaction, low-to-high surface-to-air missile system designed to counter attacks by a variety of aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

A SPYDER surface-to-air missile system.
(photo credit: RAFAEL ADVANCED SYSTEMS)

The Czech government approved on Friday negotiations for the purchase of four Israeli “SPYDER” batteries, within the framework of a GTG agreement between the two countries.
Israel was selected as the sole supplier for the project and the expected agreement between the countries' defense ministries is estimated to net the Israeli Defense Industry hundreds of millions of dollars.


Defense Minister Benny Gantz said of the announcement that "we thank the Czech government for their partnership and for the decision to equip their military with Israeli air defense systems. This is another significant step in strengthening security relations between our two countries, and it is also great news for Israeli defense industries during such a complex period."

Following an international tender process, which lasted several years, the Czech Ministry of Defense informed the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT) in the Israeli Defense Ministry, of its decision to equip its military with Israeli air defense systems, produced by Rafael Advanced Systems.

SPYDER (Surface-to-Air Python & Derby), is a quick reaction, low-to-high surface-to-air missile system designed to counter attacks by a variety of aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters and UAVs. The system provides effective protection of valuable assets, as well as first-class defense for maneuvering forces located in combat areas. The SPYDER system includes a radar system produced by Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

EVP of marketing and business development at Rafael, Ariel Karom, said following the announcement that "we are very proud to have been selected to provide SPYDER systems to the Czech Republic through a GTG process. The decision to select SPYDER, developed and produced by Rafael, is a significant vote of confidence in our proven air defense capabilities demonstrated over the years through a variety of solutions that span from Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the SPYDER air defense system, in service and combat-proven in different countries around the world."

Czech military to purchase 4 Israeli aerial defense batteries

SPYDER is a quick reaction, low-to-high surface-to-air missile system designed to counter attacks by a variety of aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

www.jpost.com