The Czech company Tatra Defense Vehicle has completed the production of the first platforms for its Spyder anti-aircraft missile systems.

This news was shared after journalists from CZ Defence visited the company’s production site.

The systems destined for the Czech Armed Forces will use the domestic Tatra truck platform. That’s why both the trucks and platforms are being manufactured by the Czech company.

In addition, the company is going to produce transport and launch containers that will later undergo the missile installation process.

The platforms will be mounted on Tatra Force 8×8 3rd generation trucks with armored cabins, also produced at the Tatra facility. These trucks have already proven effective as platforms for the Spyder air defense system, with similar configurations being used by the Philippines, which chose Czech-made trucks for their Spyder MR system.

In total, Tatra Defense Vehicle will manufacture components for four batteries. These are expected to enter service by 2028, replacing part of the Soviet Kub air defense systems previously transferred to Ukraine.

Each battery will consist of four launchers and one EL/M-2084 MMR/MADR radar station.

The systems will be equipped with Python-5 missiles (15 km range), Derby missiles (35 km range), and I-Derby-ER missiles (80 km range), ordered in 2023, with delivery expected in 2027.

The Czech Ministry of Defense initially announced the agreement to purchase four Spyder MR batteries in 2021.

The contract, valued at CZK 13.69 billion ($627 million), includes a 30% share for the Czech industry in supplying and servicing the systems, including the vehicles based on Tatra chassis.

In December 2019, the Czech Republic signed a $125 million contract with IAI Elta to purchase eight EL/M-2084 MMR ground-based mobile radar stations.

These radars, delivered between 2021 and 2023, are used for air target detection by the Czech Air Force.