Israel’s Ministry of Defense has announced that Slovakia is purchasing a Barak MX defense system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, for $583 million, according to a Breaking Defense report. The system is intended to protect against various aerial threats.
The ministry described the purchase as a “landmark deal,” marking Israel’s largest transaction with the Central European nation. Slovakia has previously purchased Israeli military equipment, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missile and radars from ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of IAI.
Flexible Defense Capability
The Barak MX is an integrated defense system designed to be flexible in countering ballistic missiles from various sources, including jet fighters, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The system features interceptors for different ranges, capable of reaching distances of up to 150 kilometers.
IAI developed the system in collaboration with the United States, which is also a partner in developing the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system.
Slovakia’s order for the Barak MX follows Germany’s $4.2 billion purchase of the Arrow-3 system and Finland’s $329 million acquisition of David’s Sling, another U.S.-Israeli long-range air defense system.
Battle-Tested Technologies
Eyal Zamir, director general of Israel’s Ministry of Defense, noted that the capabilities of Israeli defense technologies have been tested on real battlefields. He pointed out that the Barak MX deal with Slovakia is part of a broader increase in Israeli defense exports, coinciding with Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.
“We’re seeing increased interest from more countries in the exceptional performance of the [Israel Defense Forces] and Israeli combat systems, both defensive and offensive,” Zamir said.