Israel, Czech Republic sign multi-million air defense radar deal
ELM multi-mission radar systems are used by IDF in Iron Dome, David’s Sling missile defense systems.
By ANNA AHRONHEIMA visit to the Czech Republic(photo credit: Reuters)
Israel and the Czech Republic have signed a security agreement to sell advanced aerial radar systems in a deal worth over NIS 400 million.The multi-million shekel deal (worth some $125 million) signed for the Czech Mobile Air Defense Radar (MADR), will see IAI/ELTA systems provide eight ELM-2084 multi-mission radar (MMR) systems with air surveillance, air defense, and artillery capabilities.The production of the systems will be a joint Israel-Czech project with 70% of the system made in Israel and the other 30% by from Czech industries which will apply to design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing and life-time maintenance of the systems. Certain security components will be manufactured locally, including advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) radar modules, as well as auxiliary sub-systems such as trucks and camouflage nets.“The Israeli party will transfer state-of-the-art technology and know-how. The program also includes a substantial contribution from Czech industries, amounting to 30% of the contract value,” read a statement by Israel’s Defense Ministry.The radar system allows for the monitoring, tracking and interception of several airborne projectiles simultaneously at an altitude between 100 meters to 3,000 meters (330 to 10,000 feet) and cover a wide area of about 250 kilometers.“The MMR radar is based on state-of-the-art technologies and significantly improves the reliability of aerial image and situational awareness and is able to effectively address a wide range of targets,” said Yoav Turgeman, CEO of ELTA and vice president of IAI.The deal was signed at the Ministry of Defense in Prague on Thursday by Czech Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar, Deputy Minister of Defense Filip Říha and Head of SIBAT, Israel’s Ministry of Defense Export & Defense Cooperation Division Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas.The ELM-2084 MMR system is an integral part of the IDF’s aerial defense systems including the David’s Sling and Iron Dome anti-missile defense systems. They will be adapted to operate in accordance with Czech and NATO command and control systems can be incorporated into the command and control systems belonging to the United States.In March of last year Prague stalled on the deal out of concern that the systems wouldn’t be able to connect to other systems used by NATO forces with the Czech defense ministry calling the current format of the deal as “hazardous.”Following the signing of the deal, Kulas said it “is an expression of confidence in the capabilities of the Israeli defense establishment and in our excellent defense industries to address the threats that are plaguing the entire world. We hope this agreement opens the door for further cooperation with the Czech Republic and additional NATO countries.”
The systems will be delivered, tested, licensed and accepted in operational condition during 2021-2023 in the Czech Republic, and will replace obsolete Soviet-made radars that the Czech military received in 1991.“Today, Israel and the Czech Republic are closing a historic circle. The Czech Republic, which stood by us and provided us with weapons when the state was established 70 years ago, will be acquiring the most advanced air defense capability in the world,” Coles said.Metnar called the agreement to purchase the eight radars as “one of the major modernization projects” of the Czech army and especially of the country’s aging air defense forces.“I am very pleased that when the agreement is signed we will begin the process of ending dependence on outdated Russian systems and at the same time equipping a modern system with proven operational experience from a long-term strategic partner like the State of Israel,” he said. “I also welcome the opportunities the agreement opens for the Czech security companies.”Elta Systems has sold 100 of these radar systems in recent years to a series of countries around the world for a total of over $2 billion.
