In recent years, Israeli defense companies such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have become key partners in Slovakia’s military modernization efforts, including the supply of advanced technologies such as multi-mission radars, UAVs, and anti-tank missile systems. The most notable agreement to date is Slovakia’s €560 million purchase of the Barak MX air defense system from IAI.

Diplomatic and Economic Relations

Israel and Slovakia established diplomatic relations in 1993, following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and the emergence of Slovakia as an independent state. As a member of both the European Union and NATO since 2004, Slovakia’s bilateral trade with Israel is shaped by EU-Israel agreements and broader Euro-Atlantic frameworks.^[1]Wikipedia, Israel–Slovakia relations^[2]Wikipedia, Slovakia

Israeli business activity in Slovakia began in the late 1990s, particularly in investment and technology sectors. Companies such as Elbit Systems, Verint, and Check Point were among the early entrants. In June 2001, a Slovak business delegation led by Defence Ministry State Secretary Jozef Pivarči visited Israel, accompanied by members of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia.^[3]The Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slovakia and Israel the First 25 Years, 2019

In 2013, Israel and Slovakia signed an agreement on cooperation in industrial research and development. This was followed in 2016 by the launch of a bilateral program to support joint projects in industrial R&D and innovation.^[4]Embassy of Israel in Bratislava, Bilateral relations, 16.05.2024

In 2018 the first Slovak-Israeli seminar focusing on cybersecurity was held in Bratislava. The seminar was organized by the Embassy of Israel in Bratislava in partnership with the Israeli company Check-Point and was opened by the Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatisation, Richard Raši. The seminar was attended by four major Israeli companies that specialise in cybersecurity, namely Check Point, Verint Systems, BGProtect and CyberGym. The audience included representatives of Slovak government agencies, military and defence representatives, private sector and Slovak cyber companies.^[5]The Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slovakia and Israel the First 25 Years, 2019

In January 2020, a Slovak delegation attended the Cybertech Conference in Tel Aviv. The visit also included tours of a Jerusalem start-up center and the technology park in Be’er Sheva.^[6]SARIO Slovak Investments and Trade Development Agency, Slovak delegation at the Cybertech conference in Israel

In March 2022 Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid visited Slovakia. During a joint press conference in Bratislava with his Slovakian counterpart Ivan Korcok, Lapid condemned Russia’s military offensive as unjustified and declared Israel will not be a route to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia.^[7]The Times of Israel, Lapid vows Israel won’t be a ‘route to bypass’ sanctions on Russia, 14.03.2022 Later revelation suggest Israel has supplied Russia’s defense sector with high-precision metalworking tools, despite the sanctions.^[8]Bulgarian Military, Russia’s war machine uses Israeli tools despite sanctions, 16.04.2025

In July 2025 Gideon Saar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Slovakia.^[9]Facebook, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 09.07.2025

Military and Defense Relations

Defense cooperation between Israel and Slovakia began shortly after Slovakia’s independence. Over the years, numerous high-level visits took place. In the last decade, Israeli defense companies such as Elbit Systems, Rafael, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have become key contributes to Slovakia’s military modernization efforts. The most notable agreement to date is Slovakia’s €560 million purchase of the Barak MX air defense system from IAI.

In 2001, State Secretary Jozef Pivarči visited Israel, where he met Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Minister of Transportation Efraim Sneh to discuss cooperation in the military and defense industries.

In 2007 Slovak Defense Minister František Kašický visited Israel, signed a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation and met with representatives of Israel’s defence industry corporations. Slovakia later appointed a military attaché to its embassy in Tel Aviv.^[10]The Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slovakia and Israel the First 25 Years, 2019

In 2010, high-level defense and security exchanges took place between Israel and Slovakia. Slovak Defense Minister Ľubomír Galko visited Israel in October, where he met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and opened the ISDEF defense exhibition. That same month, Barak made an official visit to Slovakia. In November, Slovak Interior Minister Daniel Lipšic participated in the First Israel Homeland Security International Conference in Tel Aviv, further deepening bilateral cooperation in the security field.

In 2012, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Miloš Koterec met with Israel’s Ambassador Alexander Ben-Zvi in Bratislava to discuss intelligence, special training, use of specialised drilling facilities and the possibilities of future cooperation in the field of armament industry.

In 2016, a delegation of the Security and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Knesset visited Bratislava and met with the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees at the Slovak National Council.^[11]The Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slovakia and Israel the First 25 Years, 2019

In 2018, Czech journalist Jakub Szántó reported that Israeli and Slovak intermediaries were involved in circumventing arms export bans, allegedly smuggling Czech-made rocket launchers and howitzers to Azerbaijan via Israel. According to the report, Elbit Systems was listed as the official end-user, though the weapons reportedly continued to Azerbaijan.^[12]Haaretz, Wary of Russia, Slovakia Buys Advanced Air Defense Systems From Israel, 03.09.2024^[13]The Slovak Spectator, Weapons are smuggled through Slovakia Czech journalists reveal, 17.04.2018

In May 2025 the 20th annual SPIKE User Club Meeting (SUCM), was held in Bratislava, Slovakia.^[14]Raksha Anivreda, Major Milestone: Rafael’s 20th Annual SPIKE User Club Meeting Reaffirms SPIKE’s Global Relevance, 30.05.2025

Another military tie is Slovakia’s participation in UN missions in the Middle East. Slovak troops have participated in several such missions that were directly related to the security of Israel.^[15]The Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Slovakia and Israel the First 25 Years, 2019

Arms Deals

February 2017: Slovakia purchased Skylark I-LEX UAS from Elbit. This Deal followed a past one from 2008 in which Slovakia purchased older version of the UAS.^[16]Israel Defense, Slovak Special Forces purchased Elbit’s Skylark I-LEX, 20.02.2017

January 2018: Two Israeli companies contributed to the upgrade of the Slovak Soviet-made BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle: Innocon provided their Micro Falcon UAS and Elbit provided sensors for laser warning systems.^[17]Army Recognition, Slovak Army new tracked reconnaissance vehicle BPsVI based on BMP-1 IFV, 31.01.2018^[18]Defense Blog, Slovakia received first batch of upgraded infantry fighting vehicles, 19.06.2018

2020: Slovakia signed a contract worth tens of millions of euros with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to supply Spike LR II missile for its infantry and military vehicles.^[19]Defense News, Slovakia selects Rafael’s Spike LR II missile for anti-tank capability, 09.03.2020

January 2021: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) was awarded a €148 million contract to supply Slovakia with 17 Multi Mission Radars for the Slovak Air Force.^[20]Globes, Slovakia to buy Israel Aerospace radar systems for €150m, 14.01.2021^[21]European Security and Defense, Israeli Arms Exports to the EU: Air Systems, 07/2022

December 2022: Two Israeli systems were selected to be integrated on the Slovak CV9035 infantry fighting vehicles by BAE: the Iron Fist Active Protection System by Elbit and SPIKE-LR missiles by Rafael.^[22]BAE Systems, Slovakia signs $1.37 billion deal for 152 CV90s under government-to-government agreement, 12.12.2022

September 2024: According to press reports, the Slovak government have acquired NSO group’s Pegasus spyware, to be used by Slovak intelligence services and possibly other security forces of the state.^[23]Dennik, Secret service for Fico apparently got the opportunity to completely dominate mobile phone, it could be a Pegasus tool, 03.09.2024^[24]Intellinews, Slovak spy agency has Pegasus spyware opposition claims, 06.09.2024

December 2024: Israel and Slovakia have signed the largest ever defense export deal between the two countries, amounting to €560 million, to purchase the Barak MX air defence system manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).^[25]Breaking Defense, Israel signs $583 million deal to sell Barak air defense to Slovakia, 24.12.2024^[26]Globes, Slovakia buys IAI air defense system in €560m deal, 23.12.2024 In April 2026, Slovakia received and deployed its first Barak MX air defence system battery, with full system delivery planned by 2030.^[27]Defence Industry Europe, Slovakia deploys first Barak MX air defence battery with full system delivery planned by 2030, 22.04.2026

Arms Exhibitions:

IDEB Defense and Security, October 2023 – with participation of Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, ^[28]IDEB 2023 Exhibitors Catalogue