The Czech Republic has already received the first two of four Israeli Spyder LR air defense systems ordered under a 2021 contract. The other two systems are currently awaiting handover.
The Spyder systems are replacing the Warsaw Pact-era Kub systems, some of which were transferred to Ukraine between 2023 and 2025. At the same time, the Czech Republic is already planning new orders of Israeli-made air defense systems, strengthening its air defense both in terms of capability and capacity.
Read more: Hypersonic Weapons Are Not Just About Speed, Lockheed Martin Points to Real Production Bottleneck
The Czech Ministry of Defense announced the delivery of the first two Spyder LR batteries during the NATO Days 2026 exhibition, which took place on September 19, 2026, in the Czech city of Ostrava, according to Janes.
The production process for these air defense systems was partially localized in the Czech Republic. All components were manufactured at Rafael's facilities in Israel, while final assembly took place at the facilities of Czech defense company Retia. T Test firings of the Spyder system for the Czech Army were conducted by representatives of Israeli defense company Rafael at Retia's testing range in September 2025.
All four Spyder systems ordered by the Czech Armed Forces are scheduled to be deployed on combat duty by 2028. As a next step, the Czech government plans to order four more Spyder LR air defense systems in the Spyder All-in-One configuration.
From Defense Express we would like to note that a Spyder LR air defense system battery consists of four launchers, a transport and loading vehicle, and a fire control post. The system has a stated firing range of up to 70 kilometers, while all of its components are mounted on Tatra 815 chassis.
In its All-in-One configuration, the Spyder air defense system can launch three different types of missiles from a single launcher: the I-Derby ER, I-Derby SR, and Python-5, with ranges of up to 40, 20, and 15 kilometers, respectively.
News of the delivery of the Kub systems from the Czech Republic to the Armed Forces of Ukraine emerged in February 2025. According to preliminary estimates, Ukraine may have received up to two Kub air defense system batteries from the Czech Republic, each consisting of four launchers.
Ivan Kyrychevskyi, serviceman of the 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine and weapons expert at Defense Express.
Read more: New Details Emerge on Which Patriot Missile Ukraine Could Produce, When First Ones Could Reach Armed Forces
