Czechs sign CZK 2.4 bn Pandur repair contract, plan to buy Israeli anti-aircraft system

Czech Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar on Friday announced the signing of a CZK 2.39 billion contract Tatra Defence Vehicle for servicing and maintaining Pandur armoured vehicles until 2024. The Czech Army acquired more than a hundred of these vehicles between the years 2007 and 2013.

At the same time, the Ministry declared it will buy new Spyder anti-aircraft defence systems from the Israeli firm Rafael for nearly CZK 10 billion next year after the signing of an inter-governmental agreement between the Czech Republic and Israel.

The Spyder system is to replace the Soviet-made 2K12 KUB equipment, which is more than 40 years old. Despite these contracts, the Czech government announced earlier this week that it could not meet its commitment as a member of NATO to devote 2% of GDP to military spending within four years.