On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinák announced through the media the delivery of the first of six ordered batteries of Barak MX air defense systems produced by Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Photo: IAI
As he stated, elements of the battery have arrived in the country and acceptance tests are now under way, after which gradual implementation will follow. The process is expected to take several weeks and is being carried out with the participation of Israeli specialists from IAI.
Although the location to which the battery will be deployed was not indicated, the minister referred to the “intersection of our nuclear power plants” – that is, the Bohunice NPP in Trnava District in western Slovakia and the Mochovce NPP between the cities of Nitra and Levice in the southern part of the country – confirming that, in line with previous announcements, the priority is to protect the country’s critical infrastructure.
It was reported that Slovak soldiers have already completed the initial part of their training and will continue the process directly on the new equipment. Deliveries of the remaining five batteries are expected to be completed by 2030. Deliveries were originally to begin in 2025, but last year’s war between Israel and Iran affected the schedule.
It should be recalled that on December 3, 2024, Slovakia’s Ministry of Defence ordered Barak MX systems from IAI through Israel’s Ministry of Defense for 560 million EUR, while the initial Israeli offer had been selected by the previous government on October 4, 2023. It was the largest defense agreement in the history of bilateral relations.
Interestingly, under the tender for a mobile medium-range air defense system (MRSAM-M), the previous government intended to order one Barak MX battery, consisting of three launchers, each with eight missiles, valued at 128.1 million EUR. The new government expanded the order to six batteries, or 18 launchers. The new terms were approved by both sides in August and September 2024.
Barak MX will replace the S-300PMU battery from the 1st Air Defence Battalion of the 11th Air Force Brigade (Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic), which, as reported on April 8, 2022 by then Prime Minister Eduard Heger and then Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, was transferred to embattled Ukraine.
As mentioned, one Barak MX system consists of three mobile missile launchers, each with eight ready-to-fire interceptors of three types: MRAD (short-to-medium range), with a range of up to 35 km; LRAD (long range), up to 70 km; and ER (Extended Range), up to 150 km. Compared with the Barak 8 from which it is derived, the system has received a longer-range radar and a new air defence management system. The previous government had chosen MRAD and LRAD missiles, while the current one replaced the latter with even longer-range ER missiles.
So far, Barak MX has been exported to Morocco, Colombia, India (for around USD 1.8 billion), as well as Azerbaijan and Cyprus, and was recently ordered by Thailand. The naval variant, Barak Magen, is in use on Israeli Sa’ar 6 missile corvettes, while the land-based variant, Barak, has entered service with the Israeli Air Corps and made its combat debut on June 19, 2025. The system was unsuccessfully offered to Denmark.
It is worth noting that on March 25, 2021, Slovakia also ordered from IAI, through the Israeli government, 17 three-dimensional radar stations of three types for the equivalent of 148.2 million EUR. The order covered six ELM-2084MS radars, five ELM-2084S, and six ELM-2138M. However, there has so far been no information about the start of deliveries, although under the contract they should have been completed in 2023–2025. Similar delays in deliveries of Israeli radars were experienced by the Czech Republic, which decided to purchase another Israeli air defense system – SPYDER.
UPDATE
On Thursday, April 23 this year, IAI confirmed the delivery of the first Barak MX system battery to Slovakia.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz:
“The delivery of the system is another expression of the strength of the Israeli defense industry and our ability to provide our allies with advanced solutions to many threats. The Resurgence War proved beyond any doubt the effectiveness of Israeli systems on the battlefield – and led to a significant increase in global demand for our defense solutions. The system will significantly strengthen Slovakia’s defense capabilities – and we are already recognizing growing interest from additional countries, and additional significant deals are expected to be signed in the near future. This agreement is not only a defense achievement – but also an engine for industrial cooperation, knowledge transfer, and the cultivation of local production capabilities, which deepen the connection between the countries and strengthen Israel’s position as a key partner in the international arena.”
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram:
“The delivery of the BARAK MX system to Slovakia highlights the depth of defense cooperation between Israel and its international partners. This achievement reflects the Ministry’s strategy to strengthen defense exports of advanced Israeli technologies while reinforcing strategic partnerships. The agreement exemplifies the successful integration of Israeli defense industry capabilities within European countries, in full alignment with NATO standards.”
Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Robert Kaliňák:
“The first battery of the BARAK MX system has already been deployed at an undisclosed location. The system is currently being brought into operation, with full operational readiness expected in the coming weeks. This process also includes the ongoing training of Slovak soldiers and the arrival of foreign experts. Additional components of this system are arriving and will continue to arrive throughout the year.”
IAI President and CEO, Boaz Levy:
“When the Slovak Ministry of Defense decided to choose the BARAK MX integrated air-defense system, it was an expression of confidence in the system’s advanced technological superiority. Since the agreement was signed, close cooperation with our Slovak partners has enabled rapid adaptation to operational requirements, resulting in delivery and training completion on schedule. After completing a long series of theoretical and practical training sessions for the soldiers of the Slovak Army who will operate the system, I am confident that the Slovak Army will soon be deploying the BARAK MX to ensure protection of the country’s skies from a variety of threats.”
Director of SIBAT, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas:
“This delivery underscores the strength of Israel’s defense export capabilities and our commitment to supporting allied nations. The cooperation with Slovakia demonstrates how advanced Israeli technologies, combined with close partnership and industrial collaboration, can deliver operational excellence in accelerated timelines while contributing to regional and alliance-wide security. We are confident this cooperation will continue to evolve.“