Agreement for sale of radars to Slovakia signed
The defense ministries of Israel and Slovakia signed the agreement for the sale of 17 radar systems made by IAI for 148 million euros
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 25/03/2021
Photo: Media & Public Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Defense
In a celebratory ceremony held today (Thursday), at the Defense Ministry in Bratislava, the Slovak National Armaments Director, Jozef Zekucia, and Head of the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT) in the Israel Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. (Res.), Yair Kulas, signed a first-of-its-kind agreement between the two countries for the procurement of 17 radar systems produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The deal includes the MMR radar for medium ranges and additional radars for short ranges, providing a variety of advanced capabilities for detecting and identifying different airborne threats.
The agreement that was signed includes the transfer of technology and knowledge from Israel to Slovakia, as well as industrial cooperation, including support of the local industry. In the framework of the deal, the radar components will be manufactured in cooperation with local defense companies in Slovakia, under the guidance of the Defense Ministry and IAI.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who promoted the agreement to the Slovakian defense minister during their meeting two weeks ago at the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv, said "Today we have reached a significant milestone in the growing cooperation between Israeli and Slovak defense industries. The new agreement first and foremost provides Slovakia with high-quality, advanced systems to maintain their national security, while also strengthening defense industries and creating many new jobs in Israel and Slovakia. I would like to thank my friend, the Slovak Minister of Defense, Jaroslav Nad’, for promoting this agreement, and for expressing confidence in the 'blue and white' (Israeli) industry."
Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said, "I would like to express my appreciation to Israeli representatives for taking a truly pragmatic approach to the negotiations on the procurement of the new 3D radar systems for our Slovak Air Force. These expert discussions have always been of very high quality, resulting in the final Agreement with satisfaction on both sides. At the same time, I highly value the positive impact of this cooperation on the bilateral ties between our countries in the field of defense and security and I do believe we now have a solid basis for our next cooperation.”
The head of SIBAT in the Defense Ministry, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, said "Defense relations between Israel and Slovakia have risen to another level today and the signing of this radar agreement will contribute greatly to both of our countries. We thank the Slovak Government for its confidence in the Ministry of Defense and our excellent defense industries and look forward to further cooperation in both the defense and civilian arenas."
IAI VP and ELTA CEO Yoav Tourgeman said, "The signing today with Slovakia signifies significant cooperation between our two countries. IAI will provide Slovakia with radar systems and advanced air defense technology, about 150 of which have been sold to various nations. In addition, we will cooperate with Slovakian industries to develop and integrate into the local Slovakian economy, through joint-development of the radars. IAI is proud to provide Slovakia with this advanced technology and be an important part of Europe's air defense solutions, including supporting and integrating into NATO activities."
The defense ministries of Israel and Slovakia signed the agreement for the sale of 17 radar systems made by IAI for 148 million euros
Photo: Media & Public Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Defense
In a celebratory ceremony held today (Thursday), at the Defense Ministry in Bratislava, the Slovak National Armaments Director, Jozef Zekucia, and Head of the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT) in the Israel Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. (Res.), Yair Kulas, signed a first-of-its-kind agreement between the two countries for the procurement of 17 radar systems produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The deal includes the MMR radar for medium ranges and additional radars for short ranges, providing a variety of advanced capabilities for detecting and identifying different airborne threats.
The agreement that was signed includes the transfer of technology and knowledge from Israel to Slovakia, as well as industrial cooperation, including support of the local industry. In the framework of the deal, the radar components will be manufactured in cooperation with local defense companies in Slovakia, under the guidance of the Defense Ministry and IAI.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who promoted the agreement to the Slovakian defense minister during their meeting two weeks ago at the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv, said "Today we have reached a significant milestone in the growing cooperation between Israeli and Slovak defense industries. The new agreement first and foremost provides Slovakia with high-quality, advanced systems to maintain their national security, while also strengthening defense industries and creating many new jobs in Israel and Slovakia. I would like to thank my friend, the Slovak Minister of Defense, Jaroslav Nad’, for promoting this agreement, and for expressing confidence in the 'blue and white' (Israeli) industry."
Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said, "I would like to express my appreciation to Israeli representatives for taking a truly pragmatic approach to the negotiations on the procurement of the new 3D radar systems for our Slovak Air Force. These expert discussions have always been of very high quality, resulting in the final Agreement with satisfaction on both sides. At the same time, I highly value the positive impact of this cooperation on the bilateral ties between our countries in the field of defense and security and I do believe we now have a solid basis for our next cooperation.”
The head of SIBAT in the Defense Ministry, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, said "Defense relations between Israel and Slovakia have risen to another level today and the signing of this radar agreement will contribute greatly to both of our countries. We thank the Slovak Government for its confidence in the Ministry of Defense and our excellent defense industries and look forward to further cooperation in both the defense and civilian arenas."
IAI VP and ELTA CEO Yoav Tourgeman said, "The signing today with Slovakia signifies significant cooperation between our two countries. IAI will provide Slovakia with radar systems and advanced air defense technology, about 150 of which have been sold to various nations. In addition, we will cooperate with Slovakian industries to develop and integrate into the local Slovakian economy, through joint-development of the radars. IAI is proud to provide Slovakia with this advanced technology and be an important part of Europe's air defense solutions, including supporting and integrating into NATO activities."
