By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel agreed to sell an advanced air defence system to Slovakia valued at 560 million euros ($582 million), making it the largest defence export contract
Israel's $582 Million Air Defense Deal with Slovakia
By Steven Scheer
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel agreed to sell an advanced air defence system to Slovakia valued at 560 million euros ($582 million), making it the largest defence export contract between the two countries, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Monday.
The agreement will further strengthen the bond between Israel and Slovakia while bolstering Slovakia's defence capabilities, the ministry said.
Under the deal, Israel will sell to Slovakia the Barak MX Integrated Air Defense System that is produced by state-run Israel Aerospace Industries. The system is designed to counter current and future aerial threats from such sources as fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and cruise, surface-to-air and ballistic missiles.
It is able to intercept missiles at ranges up to 150 km (93 miles), the ministry said.
"The expansion of Israeli defense exports during the war (in Gaza) is a direct result of Israeli technologies proving themselves on the battlefield," said Eyal Zamir, director general of the defence ministry. "We're seeing increased interest from more countries in the exceptional performance of the IDF and Israeli combat systems, both defensive and offensive."
Defence exports, he added, are key to Israel's security and economic strength.
"They enable us to keep developing the next generations of the world's most advanced combat systems," he said. "I believe other NATO nations will follow Slovakia's lead."
($1 = 0.9618 euros)
(Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Howard Goller)
