The Czech government said on Wednesday that it would buy 48 Rafael’s I-Derby ER ground-to-air missiles from Israel worth $120 million.

Great News for Czech Air Defence!

Czechia will buy 48 I-Derby-ER advanced interceptor missiles made by Israeli Rafael Systems. Thanks to those missiles. Czech SPYDER MR air defence system can be turned to LR version. Giving it 80km interception range (up from 60) ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SWn1P7dzSo

— Daniel of Bohemia 🇨🇿 (@Danny_elMayor) October 25, 2023

The missiles can neutralize drones, helicopters, airplanes, and missiles in a range of up to 80 km and at an altitude of 20 km, incorporating an active radar detector (active BVR). The I-Derby missiles will complement four SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) short-to-long-range air defence system squadrons made by Rafael, which Prague will receive under a 2021 contract worth $630 million, as the Defence Ministry stated. 

These, being currently on order, will be delivered around 2025-2026. Each squadron consists of 3x Medium-Range and 1x Short-range Range version Mobile Firing Units (MFUs), 2x Command and Control units (CCUs), a radar vehicle (EL/M-2084 MMR), and a multi-service vehicle (MSV).

Also read: “SPYDER” | Multi-layered air defence by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

Thanks to the said procurement, the Czech SPYDER MR air defence system can be converted to the Long Range (LR) version by giving it an 80 km interception range compared to the 60 km range of the SPYDER Medium Range (MR). With the last upgrade, SPYDER also features Counter-TBM (tactical ballistic missiles) capabilities.

The deal on the missiles is due to be signed by the end of the month. The Czech Republic has pledged to raise its defence budget to 2% of gross domestic product, as required by NATO, as of 2024, while in September, it signed a $6.5 billion deal to buy 24 US-made F-35 fighter jets. 

Also read: Czech Republic | Defence spending at 2% of GDP