In brief

• Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš says he will visit Israel soon to discuss its air defence system.
• He said he had already met an Israeli missile maker and Leonardo, the company behind SAMP/T, last week.
• The army development plan approved by the cabinet does not include Czech protection against ballistic missiles, even by 2040.

Talks with manufacturers

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has announced that he will visit Israel in the near future. He said the main purpose of the trip is to discuss Israel's air defence system. He described protection against ballistic missiles as the most important task for the government (Babiš uvedl, že navštíví Izrael kvůli izraelskému systému protivzdušné obrany – Aktuálně.cz) (Babiš uvedl, že navštíví Izrael kvůli izraelskému systému protivzdušné obrany – Seznam Zprávy) (Babiš chce v Izraeli rokovať o protivzdušnej obrane, za prioritu označil ochranu pred raketami – HNonline.sk).

In a video posted on social media on Sunday, Babiš said he had met with an Israeli manufacturer that supplied Arrow missiles, which Germany has purchased. He also said talks had taken place with the Italian company Leonardo, which together with France produces the SAMP/T system (Babiš pojede do Izraele jednat o Iron Dome – Novinky.cz). Babiš did not specify the date of the visit.

Why Iron Dome matters to him

Babiš called Israel's Iron Dome, which is designed to intercept short-range rockets and mortar shells, successful. In his view it is more important for defence than the American F-35 fighters and tanks ordered by the previous government. He made these remarks while referring to a development concept for the Czech army that the cabinet approved on Monday.

What the army plan says

The concept divides army development into three stages. Until 2030 it focuses on readiness, stronger air and anti-drone defence, and the first phase of building heavy and medium brigades. The approved concept does not include Czech protection against ballistic missiles, even by 2040.

Missile defence in Europe

According to reports, only France, Italy and Germany currently have the capability to shoot down ballistic missiles in Europe. Babiš argued that protection against such missiles should be the country's priority, which is why he wants to travel to Israel.

No date, delegation or budget for the trip has been announced.

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