Barak MX

Barak MX is a modular air and missile defence system from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), built in land and naval versions. It combines a multi-mission radar, battle management and the Barak family of vertically launched interceptors, with ranges from 15 to 150 km against drones, aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. Slovakia was the first NATO and EU member to buy it; Cyprus and Greece have also chosen it.

The system is IAI’s own development, drawing on Barak 1 and Barak 8 (MRSAM / LRSAM), which was developed with Rafael and India’s DRDO. India operates Barak 8 / MRSAM rather than Barak MX and is therefore not listed as an operator. According to the manufacturer, the family comprises the Barak SR (15 km), MR (35 km, formerly MRAD), LR (70 km, formerly LRAD) and ER (150 km, the LR with a booster) interceptors. A battery can mix interceptors of different ranges, and the open architecture lets existing radars and command systems be plugged in. IAI says 13 countries have selected the system.

Slovakia signed the contract on 23 December 2024 in Tel Aviv: about €560 million (over NIS 2 billion), the largest defence export deal between the two countries. It covers six batteries, which will replace the Soviet-era 2K12 Kub; each battery has up to three launchers with eight missiles of roughly 30 to 150 km range. The first battery arrived in early April 2026; Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák announced the delivery on 16 April and Israel’s Ministry of Defence marked it on 23 April 2026. It is deployed in the area between the Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce nuclear power plants. Delivery had originally been expected at the end of 2025. According to Kaliňák, the second battery will arrive by the end of 2026, the third in 2027 and all six by 2030.

Israel operates the naval version as Barak Magen on its Sa’ar 6-class corvettes. Its first combat interception was announced on 16 June 2025, when the ships shot down Iranian drones with LRAD interceptors. On 20 June 2025 the IDF said Air Force air defence units had used the ground-based Barak operationally for the first time.

Azerbaijan agreed to buy Barak MX in 2023 for about $1.2 billion, after IAI demonstration firings in the country. Quantities have not been published; in 2026 the system was listed in Azerbaijan’s air defence inventory.

Morocco signed in February 2022 (about $500 million according to media reports). In January 2026 satellite imagery showed a completed deployment at the Sidi Yahya air defence base, about 60 km north-east of Rabat; there is no official confirmation.

Cyprus has received at least two batteries since December 2024, partly replacing the National Guard’s Russian systems. Sources differ on the number. The system was shown publicly at the Independence Day parade on 1 October 2026, and in October 2026 the Israeli daily Maariv reported an additional battery.

Colombia ordered the system for $131 million (the contract was reported in January 2023). At the end of 2025 the Air Force was integrating the first battery at a central air base, with the rest expected in 2026.

Thailand: on 4 December 2025 IAI announced a contract with the Royal Thai Air Force worth 3.4 billion baht (about $107 million) for its first medium-range air defence system, supported locally by Thai Aviation Industries.

Greece signed the Achilles’ Shield package on 31 August 2026 (about €3 billion according to Israel’s Ministry of Defence), with Barak MX as the medium-range layer alongside Rafael’s SPYDER and David’s Sling. The Netherlands chose containerised Barak ER interceptors in June 2025 for its two new multifunctional support ships.