Thailand buys Israel’s Barak MX air defense system in $107 million deal

The Barak MX can intercept aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats.

By JNS

Thailand’s Royal Air Force has selected Israel Aerospace Industries’ Barak MX air and missile defense system to enhance protection of bases and assets, according to Janes.

The procurement includes one initial Barak MX battery worth $107 million, the international defense and security news site reported on Tuesday.

This acquisition fulfills the Air Force’s Military Base Defense Development Project, outlined in a June 2025 white paper which called for ground-based air defense capability over a range of at least 35 miles by 2028.

The Barak MX can intercept aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic threats. The network-centric system was combat-tested during Israel’s successful interception of an Iranian missile and drone barrage in 2024.

“The Air Force must be prepared for future threats by procuring modern weapon systems to enhance air defense, which currently faces limitations in dealing with emerging threats effectively,” said the Royal Thai Air Force.

Barak MX batteries have already been sold to countries including Morocco, Azerbaijan and Slovakia—where a 560 million euros ($580 million) agreement was signed in 2024.

Globes reported on Monday that Greece is close to signing a major 3 billion euro ($3.5 billion) deal with Israel for three air defense systems, including Barak MX.