Kenya has received an advanced Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) air defence system from Israel, marking a major upgrade to the Kenya Defence Forces' ability to combat threats from the sky.
The system, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, was reportedly delivered this month, December 2025, and is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, such as aircraft, drones, helicopters, and guided missiles.
Sources indicated that the acquisition formed part of a bilateral loan agreement, financed through an Israeli government-backed loan estimated at Ksh3.4 billion ($26 million), negotiated by President William Ruto in July 2025.
The SPYDER system is an all-weather, quick-reaction, low-to-medium-level surface-to-air missile platform.
It is fast-moving, capable of detecting threats while on the move, and can engage multiple targets simultaneously at ranges of up to 100 kilometres.
One of its key features is advanced counter-drone technology, allowing it to detect, track, and destroy uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), a growing concern in modern warfare.
It is capable of a 360-degree launch within seconds of detecting a threat. It supports both "lock-on before launch" (LOBL) and "lock-on after launch" (LOAL) modes.
The system incorporates advanced radar systems from Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Elta division, such as the EL/M-2106 ATAR for short-range and EL/M-2084 MMR for medium-range variants.
The system uses dual-use Python-5 (infrared homing) and Derby (active radar homing) missiles, which can also serve as air-to-air missiles. The different variants (SR, MR, LR, ER, All-in-One) utilize these missiles with or without boosters to achieve different ranges and altitudes.
Security analysts say the acquisition reflects Kenya's effort to modernise its defence systems amid evolving regional security challenges, including the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
The deal also reinforces the deepening military and security cooperation between Kenya and Israel, particularly in intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, and defence technology.
The SPYDER system is already in service in several countries, including India, Singapore, Morocco, and the Czech Republic, with the Czech Republic becoming the first NATO member to deploy it.
Kenya now joins Ethiopia and Morocco as the only African countries using the Israeli-made SPYDER air defence system.
The system is expected to enhance national security by providing a credible safeguard against aerial threats, while positioning the country among a growing list of nations investing in advanced air defence capabilities.
