Israel signs $550m deal to supply advanced air defence system to Slovakia

Israel has signed a deal worth over two billion shekels ($550 million) to supply Slovakia with an advanced air defence system, the Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday.

The system, known as the BARAK MX Integrated Air Defence System, is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including ballistic missiles. According to the Israeli ministry, the deal marks the largest defence export agreement between Israel and Slovakia.

While no specific delivery date has been disclosed, the system is expected to significantly enhance Slovakia’s defence capabilities.

The BARAK MX system is highly versatile, capable of defending against threats such as fighter jets, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles and tactical ballistic missiles, reported Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

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Moreover, the system features three interceptors with operational ranges of 35, 70 and 150 kilometres. Each interceptor is equipped with an active radar seeker, a dual-pulse engine and a high-impact warhead, delivering exceptional interception capabilities against diverse threats.

It comes after Slovakia’s Defence Ministry in August announced its decision to procure six mobile air defence units from Israel.

The expansion of Israeli defence exports during the war is a direct result of Israeli technologies proving themselves on the battlefield

said the Director General of the Israeli Defence Ministry, Eyal Zamir, in a statement.

“Defence exports are key to our security and economic strength. They enable us to keep developing the next generation of the world’s most advanced combat systems. On behalf of the defence minister and defence establishment, I want to thank the Slovak Defence Ministry for choosing an Israeli air defence system and I believe other NATO countries will follow their lead,” he added.

Israel’s genocidal campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip has become a lucrative marketing tool for the country’s thriving arms trade, with the occupation state advertising its weapons as “field tested”. The allure of “battle-tested” technology has attracted buyers from around the world, even as these weapons are being used to carry out violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, human rights and international law professor at Queen Mary University of London Neve Gordon is reported saying.

Israel has killed more than 45,300 Palestinians and wounded 107,700 others, the vast majority children and women.

An estimated 11,000 are missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes and other civilian infrastructure destroyed by the occupation state. Most of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced and much of the coastal enclave is in ruins.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the blockaded enclave.

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