Czech Republic to acquire Iron Dome

On 5 December the International Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defense (SIBAT), signed an agreement with the Czech Ministry of Defence, awarding IAI ELTA, a contract for the acquisition of eight ELM-2084 ‘Iron Dome’ Multi-Mission Radars (MMRs). The government-to-government agreement is valued at approximately $125 million.

The radars have air surveillance and air defense capabilities. As detailed in the agreement, these will be delivered to the Czech defense establishment over a period spanning the years 2021-2023 and will be interoperable with Czech and NATO command and control systems.

The agreement enables the transfer of technology and know-how from Israel to Czech partners, whose capabilities will be greatly enhanced. Furthermore, the agreement stipulates the involvement of and collaboration with Czech defense industries at 30% of the procurement cost, indicating that significant parts of the systems will be produced locally.

Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic, Lubomír Metnar stated, ‘The acquisition of eight ‘Iron Dome’ radars is one of the key modernisation projects on behalf of the Czech Armed Forces and specifically the air defence branch. I am very happy that by signing the agreement we start the process of ending our dependence on obsolete Russian machinery and at the same time acquire modern and battle-tested systems from a long-term strategic partner, which Israel indeed is. I am also pleased with the possibilities the agreement opens to the Czech defence companies.’

Director of SIBAT Yair Kulas said ‘I applaud the agreement that was signed today with the Czech Ministry of Defence. Today is monumental for the State of Israel due to the history of  Czech support for the State of Israel, since its establishment 70 years ago. This agreement will deepen and strengthen the cooperation and relations with our Czech partners. It is an expression of confidence in the capabilities of the Israeli defense establishment and defense industries and highlights the significance of Israeli technology in the face of the threats shared by the international community. We hope to see this agreement opening the door for further cooperation with our Czech partners and with additional NATO states.”