Spike

Precision Guided Tactical Missile

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Spike

Precision Guided Tactical Missile

Spike is an Israeli fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile with a tandem-charge HEAT warhead, currently in its fifth-generation. It was developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, boat and helicopter-launched variants.

In Europe the Spike is being produced and marketed through the German company Eurospike gmbh, that is partly owned by Rafael. European designation: STN Atlas Eurospike.

Spike missiles were exported among others to military forces in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, and many more.

Variations: Spike-SR, Spike-MR, Spike-LR, Spike-LR 2, Spike-ER, Spike-ER 2, Spike NLOS, Mini Spike.

The most advanced Spike LR2 version is currently used by Israel, Slovakia, Estonia and Australia.

Israel designations: Gil, Gil 2, Tamuz (NLOS)

Spike NLOS

Spike NLOS is a multi-purpose, electro-optical missile system. It has a real-time wireless data link for ranges up to 25km. The Spike NLOS weapon system is a member of the Spike family. It can be supplied with various warheads (heat, fragmentation, PBF). Can be installed on a variety of air, land and naval platforms.

The Spike NLOS is capable of being used during the day and night, and like the previous versions the launching systems works as a fire-and forget, enabling independent homing after launch without operator interference. The missile is able to update data while it’s flying in the air, on its way to its destination, using fiber optics.

In 2011 it also became known that in a highly unusual move, the British Army was hastily equipped with the missile, drawn directly from Israeli Army inventory after being exposed to increasing insurgent attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan beginning in 2007 with three variants of the NLOS being procured.[1]The British Army Secretly Sent Israeli Missiles to Iraq and Afghanistan

In a deal concluded on 6 September 2011, the South Korean government had agreed to purchase an 67 Spike NLOS missiles for $43m.[2]South Korea to Purchase Israeli Spike Missiles In 2014 South Korea purchased additional Spike missiles that were planned to be equipped on Wildcat maritime helicopters.[3]South Korea to Purchase Israeli Spike Missiles

In 2020 the US Army announced the purchase Spike NLOS missiles to be mounted on Apache helicopters.[4]Zman : Israel arms Export in 2021[5]US Army to field Israeli-made long-range missile on helicopters

In 2020 Spike NLOS missiles were reportedly used by Azerbaijan against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.[6]Endgame In Nagorno-Karabakh: Two Weeks That May Reshape The Caucasus

Spike missile launched from an armored vehicle. Photo by: Rafael

Usage by Israeli Forces

Operational in different variations since 1981 in the Israeli Army. Is being operated by the Air Force, Artillery brigades, Infantry brigades and the Navy. Was used during the second Intifada, Second Lebanon war, operations in Gaza: Cast Lead, Protective Edge, Guardian of the walls. Was also used against Iranian and Hizbollah forces in Syria.

The usage of the Spike missile by Israeli forces was kept in secret until the 2000s.[7]IDF exposed new missile One of the most extensive usages of Spike missiles was in the second Lebanon war, with more than 600 Spike missiles being shot.[8]IDF exposed new missile

In 2009, Human Rights Watch reported, that Israel used both the Hermes and Heron drones armed with Spike missiles.[9]Gaza Civilians Killed by Israeli Drone-Launched Missiles After inspections of attack sites in Gaza, the impact mark of the missile and the fragmentation pattern were consistent with the Spike missile. HRW also found circuit boards and other missile parts consistent with the Spike.

In another report from from 2014, HRW claimed that 3rd of August 2014, “an apparent Israeli Spike guided missile hit directly outside a UN-run boys’ school in Rafah, killing 12 people, including 8 children, and wounding at least 25. About 3,000 people were taking shelter in the school at the time.”[10]Israel: In-Depth Look at Gaza School Attacks

The Hermes drone can carry two SPIKE–MR (Medium Range) missiles. The Heron drone can carry four Spike missiles.[11]Drone Inventory Hermes[12]Precisely Wrong: Gaza Civilians Killed by Israeli Drone-launched Missiles

In 2015 the Israeli army IDF confirmed the existence of ‘Pereh,’ a mobile anti-tank guided Spike missile launcher camouflaged as an M60 Patton that was in Israeli military service for 30 years.[13]In first, Israel test-fires anti-tank missile from unmanned APC turret

In 2018, the ministry of defence announced that Spike missiles will be installed on the turrets of Eitan and Namer models of APCs and can be operated from within the vehicle.[14]In first, Israel test-fires anti-tank missile from unmanned APC turret

In May 2021, Spike missiles were used by Israeli ground and naval forces in many occasions in Israel’s operation “Guardian of the Walls” in Gaza.[15]IDF releases footage of strikes on Gaza terrorists firing missiles at Israel/A video that was published by the Israeli Army reportedly shows the use of a Spike missile, launched from the sea on a target in Gaza.[16]Israeli Warships Fire Missiles At Gaza While Hamas Takes Aim At Offshore Oil Platforms