Tel Aviv: Under the Euro 560 million agreement signed in 2024, the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), through its Defence Export Directorate (SIBAT), together with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), announced April 24 the delivery of the BARAK MX air-defence system to the Slovak Air Force.
This delivery, which was completed ahead of schedule and includes training and operational readiness, marks a significant enhancement in Slovakia’s ability to defend its airspace against the full spectrum of modern aerial threats, from UAVs and fighter aircraft to cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, while further reinforcing NATO’s collective security architecture. It reflects growing global demand for advanced, reliable, and rapidly deployable solutions, and includes meaningful collaboration with the Slovak industry, driving local production, technology transfer, and economic growth.
The BARAK MX is a multi-layered air-defence system engineered for land, naval, and mobile deployment. Its three advanced interceptors, with ranges of 35 km, 70 km, and 150 km, feature advanced warheads, enabling precise, simultaneous interception of multiple threats in complex operational environments. At the core of the system is an advanced integration of multi-mission radars (MMRs) that provides detection, classification, and tracking capabilities.
IMOD Director General, Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram, commented, “The delivery of the BARAK MX to Slovakia is a testament to the depth of the strategic relationship between our two countries. Israeli defence exports are a central tool for the IDF’s force build-up, shaping our foreign policy, and strengthening our economy and industry. The integration of these capabilities in Europe, in full alignment with NATO standards, underscores the operational superiority of Israel’s defence industry and will support us in advancing further agreements.”
Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Robert Kaliňák, stated, “The first battery of the BARAK MX system has already been deployed at an undisclosed location. The system is currently being brought into operation, with full operational readiness expected in the coming weeks. This process also includes the ongoing training of Slovak soldiers and the arrival of foreign experts. Additional components of this system are arriving and will continue to arrive throughout the year.”
IAI CEO and President, Boaz Levy, said, “When the Slovak Ministry of Defence decided to choose the BARAK MX integrated air-defence system, it was an expression of confidence in the system’s advanced technological superiority. Since the agreement was signed, close cooperation with our Slovak partners has enabled rapid adaptation to
operational requirements, resulting in delivery and training completion on schedule. After completing a long series of theoretical and practical training sessions for the soldiers of the Slovak Armed Forces who will operate the system, I am confident that the Slovak Army will soon be deploying the BARAK MX to ensure protection of the country’s skies from a variety of threats.”
Director of SIBAT, Brig Gen (Res.) Yair Kulas, remarked, “This delivery underscores the strength of Israel’s defence export capabilities and our commitment to supporting allied nations. The cooperation with Slovakia demonstrates how advanced Israeli technologies, combined with close partnership and industrial collaboration, can deliver operational excellence in accelerated timelines while contributing to regional and alliance-wide security. We are confident this cooperation will continue to evolve.”
-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
