SPYDER
The SPYDER is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries. Rafael is the prime contractor and IAI is the major subcontractor for the SPYDER program. This system achieved a notable milestone in 2005 when missiles were fired against test targets in Shdema, Israel and scored direct hits. Since then, it has been showcased in multiple military exhibitions throughout the world.
The SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas. The system is fitted atop a Tatra truck, a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, a MAN TGS truck, Scania P-series truck, Dongfeng truck, or a TELAR. It implements the Python-5 and Derby missiles of the same company. The SPYDER launcher is designed to fire Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles which share full commonality with the air-to-air missiles. There are two variants of the SPYDER: the SPYDER-SR and the SPYDER-MR. Both systems are quick reaction, all weather, network-centric, multi-launchers, and self-propelled. A typical battery consists one central command and control unit, six missile firing units, and a resupply vehicle. The SPYDER-SR uses the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar while the SPYDER-MR incorporates the EL/M-2084 MMR radar. The latter is the same radar used by the Iron Dome system currently in service with the Israel Defense Forces.
Current operators of the SPYDER missiles system include India and Singapore. Peru's order for the SPYDER was pending as of 2012. There are reports that claim that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War but these allegations and assumptions have never been verified.
Development
In 2005, a milestone for the SPYDER air defence system was achieved. The SPYDER successfully fired the Python 5 and Derby in a test range located in Shdema, Israel. The results were two direct kills against a couple of targets. At the trial, the radar and command and control unit engaged the targets at long and short ranges. The trial was part of a greater series of missile firings.Exhibitions
The SPYDER air defence system has been showcased in 29 military exhibitions throughout the world. These exhibitions are:Description
Command and control
EL/M-2106 ATAR
The Elta EL/M-2106 Advanced Tactical Acquisition Radar 3D Active electronically scanned array surveillance radar is the Command and Control Unit for the SPYDER-SR. This radar can track and engage multiple targets simultaneously and can control the missile firing units at a distance of up to 10 km away from the CCU. The E/LM-2106 ATAR is a fourth generation defence radar designed by Elta and operates in the L-band wavelength. It is a field proven design that has operated in undesirable environments according to the designers and manufacturers. The range of detection for a fighter aircraft is 70–110 km. It can detect hovering helicopters at a range of 40 km and UAVs at 40–60 km.EL/M-2084 MMR
The radar sensor unit of the SPYDER-MR comprises the EL/M-2084 Multi Mission Radar 3D AESA radar. The EL/M-2084 operates in the S-band. It can process up to 1200 targets when in air surveillance mode and also detects targets located 250 km away. When the radar is static, it covers 120° in the azimuth.Surface-to-air missiles
Ranges of Interception
As a short range air defence system, the SPYDER-SR has a short range of interception. The maximum altitude of interception is 9 km and the maximum range of interception is 15 km. The SPYDER-MR has a greater operation range of 35 km and an altitude engagement of 16 km due to the missiles being equipped with boosters.Python-5
The Python-5 is currently the most capable air-to-air missile in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world. As a beyond-visual-range missile, it is capable of "lock-on after launch", and has all-aspect/all-direction attack ability. The missile features an advanced electro-optical infrared homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase.Derby
The Derby is an active radar homing AAM that provides the SPYDER missile system with a fire-and-forget option due to its active radar guidance.Operational use
- During the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, it was believed that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR. The Georgian air force could have operated up to four launchers of the SPYDER-SR.
- On 26 February 2019, during the 2019 India-Pakistan standoff, India used SPYDER to shoot down a surveillance drone of the Pakistan armed forces at the Indo-Pakistan Border at Gujarat.
- On 27 February 2019, during Pakistan Air Force airstrikes in Indian-administered Kashmir, SPYDER air defense system accidentally shot down an IAF Mil Mi-17 in Budgham, Kashmir. As a result, six Indian Air Force personnel on board the helicopter and one civilian on the ground were killed. After 6 months of investigation, IAF confirmed that shooting down of Mi-17 was a friendly fire and 5 IAF personnel were held guilty.
Operators
Current operators
- Defense Forces of Georgia – There were reports that a battery of the SPYDER missile system was operated in 2008. No official confirmation exists and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute arms transfer database cannot confirm this. Jane's Missiles & Rockets magazine previously cited a Rafael representative claiming that one of the two export customers of the SPYDER missile system already has theirs deployed.
- Indian Air Force – In 2006, India planned to acquire 18 SPYDER-MR systems at a cost of $395.2 million for its air force. The contract was reviewed by the Central Vigilance Commission, the government’s anti-corruption agency, before the agreement was signed in September 2008. In August 2009, the multibillion-dollar contract for Israeli anti-aircraft missiles was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council headed by defence minister AK Antony. Although previous estimates of the contract's value was 18 billion rupees, recent reports indicate a lower value of $260 million. The Jerusalem Post contradicts these figures and mentions a price of $1 billion for the purchase of the surface-to-air missiles. The SPYDER systems were delivered starting in 2012. 18 SPYDER-MRs along with 750 Python-5 surface to air missiles and 750 Derby SAMs has been delivered.
- Republic of Singapore Air Force – In 2008, the Ministry of Defence ordered two SPYDER-SR batteries along with 75 Python-5 SAMs and 75 Derby SAMs. They were all delivered during 2011 and 2012. Some SPYDER-SRs were operated by the 165 Squadron in 2011, it is also reported that more SPYDER-SRs are on order. The SPYDER system achieved full operational capacity on July 4, 2018.
- In 2015, Vietnam chose the SPYDER missile system as its new medium-range air defense missile system. First deliveries were highlighted in July 2016. Vietnamese systems are mounted on RMMV HX range trucks. 6 systems are reportedly ordered.
Pending operators
- Peruvian Air Force – In March 2012, Peru chose the winners of a $140 million competition meant to upgrade its ageing air defence systems out of the group of 20 defence companies. Amidst the presence of Russia's Rosoboronexport and Chinese firms, the winners were Poland's Bumar Group, Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, and the USA's Northrop Grumman. Rafael industries is expected to supply six SPYDER-SR systems in this deal.
- Philippine Air Force - Leading Philippine Defense Blog MaxDefense Philippines reported the selection of the SPYDER-MR for its ground-based air defense system requirement. During the Philippine Air Force Change of Command ceremony on December 21, 2018, outgoing Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr. said that "three air defense systems from Israel" will be acquired. No specific model was mentioned by Kintanar despite the SPYDER being the only Israeli product evaluated. Through a text message sent to the Philippine News Agency, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed the selection of the SPYDER but did not disclose the number of batteries to be purchased.
Citations