Rafael Spike LR2 ATGM: In a major success for Rafael’s Spike anti-tank guided missile, the Slovak Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Eurospike for the supply of the fifth generation SPIKE LR2 ATGM missiles. Under the deal, the company will also supply dismounted advanced ICLU launchers (Integrated Control Launch Units) to Slovakia.
Eurospike is a European joint venture between Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Diehl Defence and Rheinmetall Electronics.
Slovakia will complete the procurement process through the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The Slovak army is the 6th armed force to choose the modern 5th generation SPIKE LR2, and it is part of another 34 SPIKE user nations.
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Slovakia is also the 3rd NATO nation that will use SPIKE anti-tank guided missiles. The country plans to follow a seamless transition by SPIKE Missile user nations from 4th generation SPIKE LR missiles to the 5th generation of SPIKE LR2 missiles. This variant is also fired from the same vehicle or dismounted launchers.
In April 2018 the Slovakia published the results of its field testing phase of the Slovak Turra 30 mm Remote Control Weapon Stations (RCWS) mounted on Patria vehicles including multiple launch of vehicle-mounted SPIKE Missiles from the EVPU RCWS.
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The contract includes dismounted launchers, signifying that the SPIKE LR2 will now be used by both the infantry and cavalry of Slovak Army.
Rafael Spike LR2 ATGM
SPIKE LR2 is the fifth generation, multi-platform, multi-mission and multi-range electro-optical missile, with enhanced standoff range of 5.5 km. It features a fire & forget capability as well as man-in-the-loop features, such as retargeting mid-flight, attack of hidden targets beyond-line–of-sight.
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The Spike LR2 also has the ability to launch to non-line-of-sight targets based solely on their geo-coordinates.
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The Israeli company has supplied more than 33,000 SPIKE missiles to its customers around the world with over 6,000 SPIKE missiles firings, both in training and in combat.
The selection of the SPIKE LR2 missile by the Slovak armed forces will allow the Slovakia army 5th generation missiles.
NATO’s quest for commonality of equipments
This purchase is part of the ongoing modernisation of armed forces taking place around Europe, in which the SPIKE Missiles have assumed a major role in enhancing deterrence and capability.
“We are very thankful for the confidence of the Slovak army and would like also to thank NSPA for their quick responsiveness and professionalism,” said Wolfgang Herrnberger, Managing Director of Eurospike.
“This procurement by Slovakia follows past contracts of SPIKE Missile by Germany, Baltic States Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as many other European countries, which has created common ATGM capabilities within Europe, serving interoperability and potentially future cross-nation mutual support,” said Wolfgang Herrnberger.
With the Spike LR deal, Slovakia will join 19 other nations in Europe that have been using the Rafael’s anti-tank guided missiles.
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