On Thursday, December 5, an intergovernmental Czech-Israeli agreement on the acquisition of eight 3D mobile radars (MADR) was concluded in Prague. She was signed by Deputy Defense Minister for Armaments and Acquisitions Section Filip Riha and Retired Brigadier Yair Kulas, Director of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Agency, Directorate for International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT).
“The purchase of MADR radars is one of our key modernization projects. Czech soldiers urgently need this technique. We will end our dependence on obsolete Russian machines and at the same time we will obtain a top-notch and proven combat system from our important strategic partner, “emphasized Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar.
The dimension of the strategic partnership between the two sides was also appreciated by the Director of SIBAT. “I am very satisfied with the contract we signed today at the Czech Ministry of Defense. This is mainly due to its contribution to deepening and strengthening cooperation and relations with Czech allies. It also demonstrates the importance of Israeli technology in combating the threats we share within the international community, “said General Kulas.
The value of the contract is CZK 3.5 billion with VAT and has been verified and confirmed by an independent expert opinion. Israeli radars, which are compatible with NATO systems, in their arsenal will replace the previously used radar technology of Russian production, whose lifetime has already exceeded. The new radars will be continuously delivered and put into operation by 2023. Before live operation, they will normally be tested and tested.
The purchase of MADR radars also includes a guarantee of the involvement of the Czech industry in the fulfillment of the public contract at least 30%. Therefore, the formal conclusion of the intergovernmental agreement was followed by verification and exchange of contracts between the radar manufacturer, Elta, and Retia, as and VTÚ, sp, which will be the main partners on the Czech side.
“Thanks to the terms of the contract, which was negotiated with the assistance of the Ministry of Defense, the Czech Republic is constantly gaining know-how and production capacity to operate and service MADR radars independently,” said Roman Bohun k, Chairman of the Board of Retia.