Slovakia picks Israeli air defence radar
Government-to-government talks are under way between Slovakia and Israel to procure the Elta MMR system.
Slovakia has selected the ELM-2084 MMR solution from Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems as the front-runner in a programme to replace existing air defence radar systems, under the terms of a government-to-government agreement announced on 13 January.
The Slovakian MoD described the Israeli proposal as ‘the most advantageous comprehensive offer’ with a purchase price of €148.2 million ($179.5 million). This is slightly lower than a previous Israeli offer submitted in 2019.
Rival bids from the French and UK governments exceeded the €155 million cost limit set by Slovakia.
A mixture of short-, medium- and long-range mobile 3D air defence radars (17 in all) will be provided to the Slovakian armed forces to replace 24 radars, of which all but one have exceeded their service life.
The S-band MMR system was evaluated by the NATO Communication and Information Technology Agency, which deemed it as ‘the most advantageous solution in the field of systems integration into the NATO environment’, the Slovakian MoD stated. MMR is also in use with NATO allies Czech Republic and Hungary.
One important factor in the decision was a commitment by Israel to guarantee up to €50 million of industrial investment in Slovakia. Slovakian Jaroslav Naď said: ‘We insist that the industrial partner in Slovakia is a state-owned enterprise operating in the defence industry.’
Negotiations are now in progress between the Slovakian MoD and Israeli defence export agency SIBAT. If no agreement is reached by 31 March 2021, talks will begin with the UK government.
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