NEW DELHI, (BM) – The Indian army intends to acquire the Israeli anti-tank guided missiles to strengthen its capabilities on the border with China, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing India Today on July 15 and several sources in the Indian Army.
Read more: Israeli Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Will Be Used by Indian Armed Forces
The Indian Army plans to acquire 12 launchers and more than 200 Spike missiles for its advanced infantry units.
The purchase is part of the extraordinary financial authority of 5 billion rupees that the Government of India provided to the army after the escalation of the conflict with China.
Recall, on June 15, there was a clash between the military of India and China, which killed 20 Indian soldiers. Beijing does not name the number of losses for its part, but the Indian press reports that about 40 Chinese troops were killed or seriously injured in the clash.
India generally has such missiles
The Indian Army has inducted Israel-made anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMS) Spike along the LoC in northern command theatre in Jammu and Kashmir to bolster defence along the country’s border with Pakistan, BulgarianMilitary.com recalls.
These anti-tank guided missiles and its launchers were inducted along the LoC in northern theatre from October 16-17 and are being used currently, Army sources told PTI.
A total of 210 missiles along with 12 launchers were delivered to Army from Israel under a Rs 280 crore deal, as a part of its ’emergency purchase’ mechanism.
Read more: Israeli Spike NLOS Missile Will Be Tested from U.S. Apache Helicopters
The much-needed deal was struck after the Pakistani army moved some of its troops to the border following the Indian Air Force’s strike on terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan.
The “fire and forget” ATGMs have a strike range of up to four kilometers and can be used to destroy bunkers, shelters, launching pads and terrorist training camps close to the LoC, said sources.
In July this year, the Army had placed an order for procuring Israeli anti-tank Spike missiles, known for their “precision targeting”, under emergency purchases to meet the operational preparedness, sources said.
More about Spike series
The Spike SR utlilises 3rd generation dual electro-optical (day/night) seeker technology in a versatile lightweight multi-purpose missile that can be used by the infantry or by Special Forces.
The state of the art seeker technology (day/night), including uncooled IIR, high resolution CCD as well as an optimized tracker is tailored to the needs of infantry forces in a variety of operational and environmental scenarios.
A particular advantage of the SPIKE SR is it’s low weight combined with the short time interval from power on to operational readiness, perfect for targets that are only exposed briefly.
The Spike LR2 is an advanced state-of-the-art 5th generation multipurpose multi-platform missile. It is backwards compatible to the previous Long Range generation.
Read more: India Defends Its Border with Pakistan by Using Israeli Spike Anti-tank Guided Missiles
The LR2 is the result of a long-executed strategy of continuously improving the SPIKE missile family. The innovation of the LR2 speaks for itself: enhanced engagement range; enhanced lethality, weight reduction both of the missile and the launcher.
For the enhanced lethality the LR2 includes two unique state-of-the-art advanced and highly capable warhead configurations: a tandem HEAT warhead configuration, enhancing the armour penetration capability by more then 30%, and a new multipurpose blast warhead that includes controlled fusing for control of the desired effect.
Selecting breach mode the new warhead can breach up to 20cm of reinforced concrete (with reinforcing bars) and detonate within the structure.
The Spike ER is a multi-purpose, multi-platform missile system for ranges up to 8 km. The SPIKE ER has not only Fire and forget capability, but also Fire, Observe and Update capability enabling targeting changes in real-time. It was designed to be mounted on combat vehicles, helicopters and naval vessels.
In addition to the above modes of operation the SPIKE ER also has a Fire and Steer mode where the operator can launch the missile without pre-locking onto the target. He can then manually steer the missile towards the target.
Read more: Spike Missile Weapon System by Eurospike Was Presented in Sofia, Bulgaria
The Spike ER Launcher is a true multi-platform missile, integrated on more than 40 different platforms throughout the world, from light wheeled vehicles through to tracked armoured vehicles; from light RIB boats to heavy frigates, and from light armoured scout helicopters to heavily armed combat helicopter gunships.
“We sell Spike all around the Europe – Western, Central, Baltic and the Balkans. Romania is the closer NATO allied country using Spike in the region. The baltic European Union and NATO member Latvia has bought the SPIKE anti-tank missile system just month ago and this is the biggest defence contract in the 100 year old history of Latvia.” Yizhar Sahar said.
Rafael performed a first test of launch of its Spike –NLOS from a light vehicle
February last year Rafael performed a first test of launch of its Spike –NLOS from a light vehicle. The missiles were launched to a range of more than 25 kilometers from a newly developed light launcher can be mounted on light SUVs, like the TOMCAR off road light vehicle.
The SPIKE NLOS Weapon System was highly classified for more than 30 years. The System was designed as a defensive weapon system that can engage targets in great precision and in great ranges.
The SPIKE NLOS is combat proven and proved to be an effective tool for both High intensity conflicts (HIC) and Low intensity conflicts (LIC) as well. The Weapon system was upgraded several times during the last 30 years and today according to Rafael, is one of the most advanced and modern precision weapon system.
Read more: Israeli MoD and Rafael performed a test of Spike anti-tank missile
Poland will co-produce Spike anti-tank missiles with Rafael
Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Polish company Mesko, a PGZ company, have agreed to co-produce the shoulder-launched SPIKE SR (Short-Range) ATGM, as part of Poland’s Pustelnik Program, we report on July 15.
Led by the Polish MOD Armament Inspectorate, the Pustelnik Program is aimed at choosing an anti-tank weapon for Poland’s Territorial Defense Forces (WOT).
One of Rafael’s strengths lies in its ability to create partnerships, transfer production, knowledge and technology, to create local employment. Rafael also conducts a wide array of offset activities globally. Rafael has over 15 years of successful experience in production and technology transfer programs, implemented at more than 50 overseas companies located in the U.S, Europe and other countries.
Gal Papier, director of marketing & business development, Precision Tactical Weapon Systems directorate at Rafael: “A future decision to equip the Polish Army with the SPIKE SR offers not only an operational advantage, exceeding the specification requirements of the Pustelnik program, but also an economic benefit to the local economy, as it further deepens industrial cooperation between Mesko and Rafael, making Mesko part of the SPIKE SR global supply chain, as components of the missile will be produced in Poland, not only for the local market, but also for export customers.”
Read more: The German Army Has Finalized Its Annual Training in Firing of SPIKE LR ATGM Missile
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