Slovakia to buy Israeli-made air defense systems

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Slovakia has announced plans to buy six Israeli Barak MX surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, totaling €554 million ($612 million).

The Slovakian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the intergovernmental agreement for the purchase should be finalized by the end of October, with deliveries expected to start in late 2025.

Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák outlined the details following a government meeting, noting that the first systems are anticipated to be operational by early 2026. “By the beginning of 2026, Slovakia should have its first air defense systems fully deployed,” Kaliňák stated.

A significant aspect of the deal includes the local production of the missiles in Slovakia, enhancing the country’s defense industry and ensuring a more integrated defense posture. “Preliminarily, there is an agreement that the missiles for this system, which are the largest item within the system, would be manufactured in Slovakia,” Kaliňák mentioned.

The Barak MX system is known for its versatility and effectiveness against a variety of threats, including ballistic missiles. “At this moment, we can state that, following this approval, we will continue negotiations on the Israeli Barak system, which is intended to represent six batteries that should cover all basic strategic and even civilian targets within the air defense of the Slovak Republic,” the minister added.

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