The Czech Republic has increasingly turned to Israeli defense technology as it modernizes its military and strengthens its ability to operate alongside other NATO forces.
By United with Israel Staff
The Czech Republic has received the first components of its new Israeli-made SPYDER air defense system, marking a major milestone in the growing defense partnership between Israel and the NATO member.
The system was formally presented during NATO Days in Ostrava on Sept. 19, at a ceremony attended by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna, senior Czech military officials and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Chairman Yuval Steinitz.
The ceremony took place as NATO Days, one of Europe’s largest security and defense events, marked its 25th anniversary alongside Czech Air Force Day. Some 200,000 people attended the event, according to Rafael.
The Czech Republic selected Rafael’s SPYDER system in 2021 under a government-to-government agreement led by Israel’s Defense Ministry, becoming the first NATO member to purchase a complete Israeli air defense system.
Two of the four SPYDER batteries ordered under the agreement are already in the Czech Republic, while production of all four has been completed.
The Czech systems have been modified to meet the requirements of the country’s armed forces and NATO standards. Rafael said the system is undergoing extensive testing, trials and interoperability exercises, including its ability to distinguish between targets in complex operational environments.
Developed by Rafael, SPYDER is a mobile air defense system designed to detect and intercept a range of aerial threats. The system is already operational with more than 10 customers worldwide, according to the Israeli defense company.
What began as a four-battery acquisition could eventually develop into a much broader Czech air defense network. Rafael said potential future capabilities include a national command-and-control system, ballistic missile defense, counter-drone interceptors and laser-based defenses, creating an integrated network covering threats from short to long range.
The program comes as European countries increasingly invest in air and missile defenses, with recent conflicts demonstrating the growing battlefield threat posed by drones, missiles and other aerial weapons.
The Czech program also includes cooperation with the country’s domestic defense industry, supporting local production and knowledge transfers. Rafael said the two sides are in advanced discussions on expanding their industrial partnership further.
Rafael described the cooperation as extending beyond a single defense contract, pointing to the longstanding strategic relationship and historic ties between Israel and the Czech Republic.
The Israeli company said its relationship with Czech industry has been a central part of the SPYDER program and expressed its ambition to remain a major partner in Czech air defense “for decades and generations to come.”
The close defense ties reflect a broader relationship between the two countries, with Prague historically among Israel’s strongest partners in Europe. The Czech Republic has also increasingly turned to Israeli defense technology as it modernizes its military and strengthens its ability to operate alongside other NATO forces.
The SPYDER project is part of Rafael’s wider expansion in Europe. Earlier this month, the Israeli defense company announced plans with the German state of Lower Saxony and Aurelius Capital to develop and produce air defense components at Volkswagen’s Osnabrück site. Rafael has also been expanding local production and defense-industry cooperation in Poland.
Israel’s Defense Ministry said the Czech SPYDER program reflects its broader strategy of using defense exports to deepen international security partnerships, support Israel’s defense industries and contribute to the IDF’s force-building efforts.
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