January 4, 2023
“Following urgent requests from the customers”. The new capability was developed in recent months after learning “the lessons of a military conflict during which tactical missiles are used extensively.” About two years ago, Spider systems were sold to the Czech Republic
Pictured above: missile launchers of the Spider system. Photo: Raphael
The Rafael company made changes to the anti-aircraft system Spyder of its production, and turned it into a tactical ballistic missile interception system (Tactical Ballistic Missiles – TBM) of the type of missiles that were used a lot in the war in Ukraine. These are usually missiles that are mounted on a mobile launcher and reach a range of up to 300 km. The Toshka missile, for example, which is used by Russia and Ukraine, belongs to this category. The change in the system was carried out during the last year following lessons learned apparently from the war in Ukraine.
Although the company did not specifically state that it was Ukraine, it reported that “the lessons were learned from an existing military conflict in which tactical missiles are used a lot.” Rafael stated that it received “urgent requests from a number of the company’s existing customers who use the Spyder, and responded to them by launching the Counter-TBM program, in the framework of which several modules in the system were updated that allow it to intercept ballistic missiles.” The company did not give the names of customers, but in this context it is worth noting that in October 2021 it signed an agreement to supply four Spider systems to the Czech Republic, for a total amount of about 620 million dollars.
The system was sold to 8 customers worldwide
This was the first time that a NATO country purchased a complete air defense system from Israel. The Czech Republic provides extensive support in Ukraine, and the agreement with Rafael includes a component of local production in the Czech Republic. The Spider system is a battery of air-to-air missiles that is mounted on top of trucks and can be moved from place to place also using transport planes such as the C-130. Each battery includes a management and control unit, an Alta NMR type aerial radar (owned by the Aerospace Industry) which is also used in the Iron Dome system, as well as 3-6 launch units that include 4-12 Python-5 and/or DERBY type missiles in each unit.
Rafael’s missiles include several detection and detection technologies: infrared, video camera and radar. The system is built in the form of an open network architecture that allows for the rapid integration of additional modules, and to deal with several goals at the same time. It provides protection at a range of up to 80 km against all air threats, and its interceptors can also be used as air-to-air missiles. It is worth noting that in the past it was reported that the Philippines also purchased Rafael spider systems, and the United Arab Emirates is seeking to purchase such a system to defend itself against Iran. Rafael reports that the system has an operational history of 15 years, and that it has been purchased to date by 8 countries in the world.
Posted in the categories: news, aviation and defense, Israeli industry
Posted in tags: Ukraine, Raphael
