The Czech ministry of defence has decided to purchase the Rafael SPYDER point air defence system. On Friday, September 25, 2020, the Minister of Defense Lubomír Metnar informed the government that the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic had decided to initiate negotiations with the Government of the State of Israel on the possibility of acquiring a new modern anti-aircraft missile system for the Czech Army. It is designed to ensure the continuous defence of the airspace of the Czech Republic, especially the protection of troops and urban agglomerations, nuclear power plants, industrial centres, airports and other important facilities.
“Anti-aircraft missile systems, together with supersonic aircraft, form the basic pillars of air defense. Therefore, the acquisition of a new generation of anti-aircraft missile system capable of countering current means of air attack is a key strategic project of state defence and one of the main priorities of the ongoing modernization of the ACR “explained Minister Metnar.
As part of this acquisition, the military expects to acquire a short-range / medium-range anti-aircraft missile system (SHORAD / MRSAM) with four batteries, each equipped with its own 3D radar, fire command and control system, and four launchers. The new missile system in the army’s armament will replace the more than 40-year-old anti-aircraft kit 2K12 KUB of Soviet design and production.
In its selection, the military assessed in detail a total of nine modern anti-aircraft missile systems from seven manufacturers. Based on market research, consultations with allies, official information for manufacturers (RFI, Request For Information), an industry day and a feasibility study, the military chose the SPYDER anti-aircraft missile system from the Israeli state-owned company Rafael as the most suitable system for its specific conditions and needs.
The Ministry of Defense will address the Government of the State of Israel directly with an offer to negotiate, stating that the public contract in the estimated value of CZK 10 billion including VAT will be implemented through an exemption for contracts in the field of defence or security of Act No. 134/2016 Coll., on Public Procurement. This intention was unanimously confirmed by the College of Defense on July 9, 2020. The date of concluding the agreement at the level of the governments of both countries can then be expected at the beginning of 2021, with the proviso that deliveries of a new missile system could be realized from 2023.
An important part of the negotiations will be the share of Czech industry’s involvement. In short, the Ministry of Defense aims to contractually secure at least 30% of Czech companies’ share in the acquisition and integration of a new weapons system, as well as contractually provide logistical support for the entire life cycle of twenty years or more by an entity based in the Czech Republic.
The SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It provides air defense for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas. The SPYDER launcher is designed to fire Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles which share full commonality with the air-to-air missiles. There are two variants of the SPYDER: the SPYDER-SR (short range) and the SPYDER-MR (medium range). Both systems are designed for quick reaction, and to operate in any weather condition. The SPYDER-SR uses the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar while the SPYDER-MR incorporates the EL/M-2084 MMR radar. The latter is the same radar used by the Iron Dome system currently in service with the Israel Defense Forces.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
