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, or a
Dongfeng truck. 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. The
former operates the SPYDER-MR variant while the latter fields the SPYDER-SR
variant. 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 and it is likely that the system was lost in the conflict.
Operators = Current operators=
Georgia Georgian Armed Forces – 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. India
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
multi-billion 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. Six SPYDER-MRs along with 300 Python-5 surface to missiles
and 300 Derby SAMs were delivered by 2013.
Peru 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. Singapore
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. Vietnam
In 2015, Vietnam chose the SPYDER missile system as its new short-range
air defense missile system. See also
Iron Dome Arrow
Barak 1 David's Sling
Iron Beam Comparison of Short-Range SAMs
References = Notes=
= Citations= External links
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. PYTHON-5 by Rafael
DERBY by Rafael Rafael Advanced Defense Systems & IAI -
SPIKE Missile and SPYDER ADS-SR on YouTube
Spyder missiles of Israel -Discovery channel on YouTube
Fact Sheet: Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby - Air Defence System
Israel Aerospace Industries ELM-2106 ATAR by Elta
ELM-2084 - MMR by Elta