Kenya has taken delivery of an Israeli-made SPYDER air defense system, a move that expands the Kenya Defence Forces’ ability to counter aerial threats ranging from aircraft to uncrewed systems, according to information provided by sources familiar with the acquisition.
The Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby, or SPYDER, system was manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and was reportedly delivered in December 2025. The system is designed to defend against aircraft, drones, helicopters, and guided missiles, offering Kenya a modern, mobile air defense capability.
Sources indicated that the acquisition was carried out under a bilateral loan agreement backed by the Israeli government. The financing package is estimated at Ksh3.4 billion, or about $26 million. The agreement was negotiated in July 2025 during talks led by Kenyan President William Ruto, the sources said.
The SPYDER system is built as a fast-moving, quick-reaction platform capable of detecting and engaging threats while on the move. It can track and engage multiple targets at the same time, with engagement ranges reported to extend up to 100 kilometers, depending on the configuration and missile variant used.
One of the core features of the system is its counter-drone capability. SPYDER is designed to detect, track, and destroy uncrewed aerial vehicles, which have become a growing concern for militaries worldwide due to their use in surveillance and attack roles. The system provides 360-degree coverage and can launch interceptors within seconds of detecting a threat.
The system supports both “lock-on before launch” and “lock-on after launch” engagement modes. This allows operators to either acquire a target prior to missile launch or engage targets that are detected after the missile is already in flight, offering flexibility in complex or fast-changing threat environments.
Radar coverage for the SPYDER system is provided by Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta division. According to the technical details, the system can be equipped with the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar for short-range configurations and the EL/M-2084 Multi-Mission Radar for medium-range variants. These radars are designed to provide target detection, tracking, and fire control in all-weather conditions.
SPYDER employs two primary interceptor types: the Python-5 missile, which uses infrared homing, and the Derby missile, which uses active radar homing. Both missiles are dual-use designs and can also be employed in air-to-air roles. The system’s different variants — including short-range, medium-range, long-range, extended-range, and all-in-one configurations — use these missiles with or without booster stages to achieve varying ranges and engagement altitudes.
The platform is described as an all-weather, low-to-medium-level surface-to-air missile system optimized for rapid reaction. Its modular design allows it to be tailored to different operational needs, whether focused on point defense of critical infrastructure or broader area coverage.
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