Czech and Israeli defence representatives signed the contract for the procurement of Mobile Air Defence Radars

Author: by Jakub Fajnor

On Thursday, 5 December 2019, the Czech-Israeli government-to-government contract for the acquisition of eight units of 3D mobile air defence radars (MADR) was signed in Prague by Deputy Minister for Armaments and Acquisition Filip Říha and Brigadier General (Retired) Yair Kulas, Director of SIBAT, the International Defence Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defence.

“The procurement of MADR radars is one of our key modernisation projects. The Czech servicemembers truly need this equipment. We will discontinue our dependence on obsolete Russian machines and at the same time we will obtain a state-of-the-art combat proven system from our strategic partner,” Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar underscored.

The Director of SIBAT specifically valued the aspect of the strategic partnership. “I am very much content with the contract we signed today at the Czech Ministry of Defence, especially because of the value it brings for the deepening and strengthening of cooperation with our Czech allies. It also shows the importance of Israeli technology for countering the threats we share as part of the international community,“ Yair Kulas said.

The contract value is CZK 3.5 billion including VAT and was verified and vindicated by an independent expert’s opinion. Compatible with NATO systems, the Israeli radars will replace in the inventory the existing Russian made equipment that is well past its service life. The new radars will be delivered progressively and operationalised by 2023. Before live operation, they will pass standard tests and trial operation.

The procurement of MADR radars includes a guarantee for the Czech industry to be involved in the performance of this public procurement in the minimum scope of 30%. The official signing of the government-to-government contract was followed by the signing and exchange of contracts between the radar manufacturer, the Elta company, and Retia company and VTÚ state enterprise, who will be the primary partners on the Czech side.

“Thanks to the conditions of the contract negotiated including with the help of the Ministry of Defence, the Czech Republic obtains a know-how as well as a manufacturing capacity to operate and service the MADR radars independently,“ said Mr. Roman Bohuněk, chairman of the board of the Retia company.

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