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Summary for: Czechia becomes first NATO country to deploy Israeli Spyder air defenseCzechia is set to become the first NATO country to deploy Israel's Spyder air defense system, marking a major upgrade of technology that the Czech military has used since the 1970s.
The new system has passed military operational tests and is now being integrated into the Czech Armed Forces, Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna announced Saturday at NATO Days in Ostrava.
According to Col. Jaroslav Daverný of the Czech military's 25th Air Defense Missile Regiment, Czechia will be the first NATO member to introduce the Israeli system, which is already used by about 10 countries worldwide.
Czechia has purchased four Spyder batteries, which will be based with the 25th Air Defense Missile Regiment in Strakonice. Their integration into the military's wider defense network is expected to be completed by 2028.
New defense against drones and missiles
Spyder is designed to defend against aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles. Each Czech battery includes nine vehicles and four launchers, with individual elements able to operate several kilometers apart.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff Petr Čepelka said the system is four to five times more capable than the aging equipment it replaces and will improve protection for both Czech infrastructure and the population.
The military has already trained instructors, while further training for technicians and crews is planned. The training program is expected to culminate with a live missile firing in October 2027.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Saturday that Czechia is also considering buying additional batteries of a newer Spyder All-in-One system, which combines radar, command and launch capabilities on a single vehicle. No contract for the additional systems has yet been signed.
Zůna described the four current batteries as the first stage of a broader effort to strengthen Czech air defense.
The Spyder vehicles were assembled in Czechia, with Israeli components including radar equipment, computers and missiles. Czech organizations involved in the project include the Military Technical Institute and Pardubice-based defense electronics company Retia.
