The latest Spike iteration is perhaps the most successful anti-tank guided missile across the globe.
Israel’s multi-front war against Iranian-linked proxy groups continues to highlight some of its most impressive homegrown weapons. From the Merkava main battle tank (MBT) and Harop suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the Spike anti-tank missile and the Iron Dome air defense system, the most formidable military systems are fielded by Israel alone. While Israel has deployed a vast range of weapons and defense systems to carry out its defensive and offensive strategies against its hostile neighbors, its Spike fire-and-forget missile has been particularly effective. The latest Spike iteration is considered to be sixth-generation and perhaps represents the most successful family of anti-tank guided missiles across the globe. In fact, there is speculation that the U.S. Army is considering replacing its third-generation Javelin and Hellfire missiles with Spike.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Army revealed it would be collaborating with the Israel-based Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to develop an “Americanized” variant. According to a U.S. subsidiary of the defense firm, the agreement “aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to adequately evaluate the cutting-edge precision tactical missile systems for better alignment with the U.S Army’s evolving needs for modern warfare.” While many Spike variants have been introduced over the years, this agreement specifically refers to tactical versions of the anti-tank missile, including Spike LR2, Spike ER, Spike SR, and the Spike Firefly loitering munition.
A Brief History of the Spike Missile
Israel’s requirement to field homegrown anti-tank missiles grew from lessons learned following the Yom Kippur War. Unable to effectively thwart the 1,000-plus Soviet-designed MBTs firing upon Israel, the Israel Defense Forces suffered major losses during the war. The Spike series was conceptualized to provide Israel with a more sufficient anti-tank capability primarily. This homegrown weapon uses a small fiber-optic cable which connects the weapon to the launching system, in addition to a camera in the weapon itself. Equipped with this televised imagery, the Spike’s operator can alter the missile’s trajectory post-launch. As a fire-and-forget weapon, the anti-tank missile’s operator can deliver a precise strike while remaining 15-30 kilometers away from the target, increasing survivability.
The latest Spike variant hosts even more advanced capabilities. The sixth-generation Spike NLOS notably provides an extended missile range that can reach up to 50 kilometers when launched from a helicopter and 30-plus kilometers from naval and land-based platforms. According to Rafael, control over this new variant can be transferred between battlefield platforms mid-flight, enabling greater flexibility and collaboration between military systems. Additionally, the missile can overcome anti-access and area-denial targets “without compromising its accuracy, efficiency or lethality,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
The Spike’s domestic success has spilled over to its international sales. Over forty nations have procured roughly 30,000 of these anti-tank missiles over the years, demonstrating the Spike’s popularity. Notably, the Spike is pricier than its Javelin counterpart. Despite its higher price point, nations are still lining up to purchase the Israeli anti-tank guided missile.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: By www.esercito.difesa.it, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons.
