Kenya has moved a step further in strengthening its national security with the arrival of a modern air defence system from Israel.
The new equipment is expected to improve the ability of the Kenya Defence Forces to protect the country from threats that may come through the air. This development reflects Kenya’s growing focus on modernising its military as security challenges in the region continue to change.
The system delivered is known as SPYDER, which stands for Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby. It is produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defence company with long experience in military technology.
The delivery was completed in December 2025 after months of talks between the Kenyan and Israeli governments. The deal was supported by a loan backed by the Israeli government, estimated at about Ksh3.4 billion, or roughly $26 million.
The agreement was finalised during President William Ruto’s discussions with Israeli leaders in July 2025.
SPYDER is designed to respond quickly to air threats in different conditions, including during bad weather or at night. It can be used to stop a wide range of targets such as fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and guided missiles.
One of its key strengths is mobility. The system is mounted on vehicles, meaning it can be moved easily and deployed fast in areas considered high risk. This allows the military to respond quickly when a threat is detected.
Another important feature of the system is its ability to deal with drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles have become more common in conflicts and security incidents around the world.
SPYDER can detect, track, and destroy these drones before they cause damage. The system can also engage several targets at the same time, covering all directions and reaching distances of up to 100 kilometres. This wide coverage gives security teams more time and options to react.
The system uses advanced radar technology developed by Israel Aerospace Industries through its Elta division.
For short-range operations, it relies on the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar, while medium-range operations are supported by the EL/M-2084 multi-mission radar. These radars help in identifying threats early and guiding missiles accurately toward their targets.
SPYDER uses two main types of missiles, the Python-5 and the Derby. The Python-5 is guided by infrared technology, while the Derby uses active radar guidance. Both missiles are also used in air-to-air combat, making them versatile. The system can operate in different modes, allowing missiles to lock onto targets either before launch or after launch, depending on the situation. This flexibility is useful in complex environments where threats may change quickly.
The arrival of this air defence system marks one of the most important upgrades to Kenya’s military capabilities in recent years.
