Israel strengthens ties with Europe as Slovakia officially purchases Barak MX air defense missile systems.

As announced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense on December 23, 2024, Slovakia officially purchased the Barak MX air defense missile system, allowing Israel to further strengthen ties with Europe. Valued at €560 million ($583 million), this acquisition represents the largest defense export deal between Israel and Slovakia. The Barak MX, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is designed to counter diverse aerial threats such as ballistic missiles, UAVs, helicopters, cruise missiles, and fighter jets, marking a significant step in Slovakia’s efforts to modernize its air defense capabilities and replace its outdated 2K12 Kub air defense systems.
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The Israeli Barak MX air defense missile system offers a wide range of capabilities through its three types of interceptors, which cover ranges of 35 km, 70 km, and 150 km. (Picture source: IAI)

Under the terms of the agreement, Slovakia will receive six batteries of the Israeli Barak MX surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, with deliveries scheduled to begin by the end of 2025. The deal also includes training, technical documentation, simulators, tools, spare parts, and a two-year warranty. Furthermore, local production provisions in the agreement will enable Slovakia to manufacture certain system components domestically. This initiative involves local industries in the supply chain, particularly through the production of Barak MX missiles, and addresses the limitations of the aging 2K12 Kub systems. Introduced between 1978 and 1983, these legacy systems are no longer operationally viable due to outdated technology and a lack of spare parts.

The decision to procure the Barak MX followed a thorough evaluation process initiated in May 2023 by Slovakia’s Ministry of Defense. Competing systems included Rafael’s Spyder, Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SLM, and MBDA’s VL MICA. The Barak MX received the highest evaluation score, achieving a 95% overall assessment based on its technical capabilities, lifecycle costs, delivery timelines, and industry involvement. Its flexibility—offering both stationary and mobile configurations—was another critical factor in its selection.

To complement the Barak MX, Slovakia has also approved the acquisition of 36 Polish Piorun MANPADS for €66 million. These portable systems, derived from the Soviet-era 9K38 Igla, feature upgrades such as a proximity fuse to enhance their effectiveness against UAVs and other aerial threats. With a range of up to 6 km and the ability to engage targets at altitudes between 10 m and 4 km, the Piorun system was selected for its affordability, compatibility with existing systems, and capacity to provide three times the number of launchers compared to competitors. Together, the Barak MX and Piorun aim to replace Slovakia’s Soviet-era 2K12 Kub systems, offering comprehensive protection for both strategic and civilian targets by addressing mid- to long-range threats and short-range aerial defense, respectively.

The Barak MX system itself offers advanced capabilities through its three types of interceptors, which cover ranges of 35 km, 70 km, and 150 km. Its dual-pulse rocket motors, active radar seekers, and modular architecture enable integration with various sensors and management systems, ensuring NATO compatibility. This adaptability supports its use in both land-based and naval deployments. Additionally, its robust data link connects launchers, capable of carrying up to eight missiles each, to the Barak Battle Management Center, enabling multi-target engagement and updates to counter evolving threats.

Slovakia’s modernization efforts extend beyond air defense. A joint procurement initiative with the Czech Republic aims to replace outdated military vehicles with 1,307 new transport trucks, slated for delivery between 2025 and 2031. Complementing this, Slovakia has approved the purchase of 5,000 US-made M4A1 rifles through the Foreign Military Financing program and continues to procure radar systems and tactical drones from Israeli manufacturers. Therefore, this new agreement with Israel underscores the strengthening defense partnership between the two nations, with recent acquisitions including an agreement to acquire 17 Israeli-made 3D air defense radar systems for approximately €148.2 million in 2021, followed by another agreement in 2022 for approximately 100 Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

Despite ongoing regional conflicts, Israel's defense exports have seen significant growth, reaching $13 billion in 2023—nearly double the figures from five years prior. The Defense Export Control Agency (DECA) has issued 13,497 marketing licenses and 5,677 export licenses since October 2023. While some European nations, such as France, impose restrictions on Israeli defense industry participation, agreements like Slovakia’s highlight a growing demand for Israeli systems in Europe. Recent procurements by Germany (Arrow) and Finland (David’s Sling) further reflect this trend, driven by the operational performance of Israeli systems.