Slovakia has taken delivery of its first Barak MX multi-mission air and missile defense system as part of a contract signed in December 2024.
The initial battery of the Israeli-made system is now positioned at an undisclosed site near key energy infrastructure, according to Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák.
He described the location as an “intersection between our nuclear power plants,” implying a focus on protecting facilities such as Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce.
Following deployment, integration of the weapon into the Slovak Armed Forces will continue for several weeks, with processes supported by Israeli specialists.
Troops have already completed initial skills transfer and will continue training as the transition advances.
Six Batteries by 2030
Bratislava’s acquisition of the Barak MX was signed with state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries at a price tag of 560 million euros ($658.9 million).
The package covers up to six batteries, with full delivery expected by the end of the decade.
The first shipment was originally scheduled for late 2025 to early 2026, but delays pushed the timeline back due to a “complicated issue” and disruptions linked in part to the conflict in Iran.
Barak MX is designed to counter a range of aerial threats, including ballistic missiles at distances of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) using extended-range interceptors.
The weapon is currently operational aboard the Israeli Navy’s Sa’ar-class corvettes, as well as across the Israeli Air Force’s air defense network.
