The first components of the SPYDER missile defense system, produced by Rafael, have arrived at the Military Technical Institute in the Czech Republic. This marks the beginning of the implementation of a contract that the Czech Republic signed with Rafael on September 27, 2021, worth $627 million.

Equipped with the Israeli system, it provides advanced protection against aircraft, helicopters and UAVs. The system uses Python-5 and DERBY ER missiles for short- and medium-range defense.

The Czech Republic is now replacing old Russian air defense systems with modern ones. It will receive complete SPYDER batteries in 2025 and 2026, with each battery consisting of nine to ten vehicles, a 3D radar, fire control, a control system and four launchers.

Czech industry is involved in the SPYDER project. Local industries such as RETIA and the Military Technical Institute account for about 30 percent of the project’s size.

The SPYDER system is supposed to be the top layer of Czech air defense. Army Recognition reports that the deployment of the system in the Czech Republic will mean a significant modernization of the Czech army and an end to the dependence on old Soviet systems.