Czech MoD selects Rafael's SPYDER air defence system

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on its website on 25 September that it would begin negotiations with the Israeli government on the acquisition of Rafael's Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) air defence system.

Rafael said in a 27 September press release that the Czech MoD informed the Israeli MoD’s Directorate of International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT) of the decision “[f]ollowing an international tender process, which lasted several years”.

The Czech MoD reported that Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar informed his government that his ministry had decided to begin negotiations with the Israeli government “on the possibility of acquiring a new modern anti-aircraft missile system for the Czech Army … 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.

SPYDER incorporates the Python 5 dual waveband imaging infrared missile and I-Derby active radar beyond-visual-range missile. Some SPYDER configurations also come with the I-Derby ER long-range missile, based on a two-pulse rocket motor, although the Czech configuration will feature the I-Derby missile.

Rafael described SPYDER as a quick reaction, low- to-high surface-to-air missile system designed to counter attacks by a variety of aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles]” against valuable assets, as well as manoeuvering forces in combat zones.