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SPIKE SR anti-tank missile showed excellent results after tests in Estonia [video]
By Boyko Nikolov	 On Nov 24, 2020
PANAGYURISHTE, (BM) – The European joint production of the anti-tank missile SPIKE SR disseminated information about tests of the missile in Estonia, providing video material about the tests conducted at the military range, learned BulgarianMilitary.com. The tests took place in September this year.
Read more: Deadly Spike could be the Greek answer to Turkish demilitarization of the islands
We remind you that the anti-tank guided missile SPIKE SR is under Israeli license, but for the European market is produced and sold by EuroSpike, which is a joint venture between the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense System and the two German companies Diehl Defense and Rheinmettal Defense. EuroSpike was presented several times this year and last year in Bulgaria as well.
According to the information provided and the video distributed, the Estonian military carried out two tests, both of which successfully hit the target, which was located at different distances. It turns out that in addition to the guided anti-tank missile SPIKE SR, the Estonian soldiers have also tested the training capabilities of the entire system, both in the open and indoors.
SPIKE SR allows fast and almost unnoticed movement of the soldier in modern combat conditions. The reason for this is the unified small dimensions of the system, which make the carrier easily mobile and flexible in a changing combat environment. The whole anti-tank system is very light – 10 kg and allows firing at a target located at 2000 meters. The missile has electronic control, optical system and is fired from the soldier's shoulder.
Estonia is well acquainted with the functionality of SPIKE systems. The country has already spent nearly 40m euros on the other variety, SPIKE LR. Worldwide, SPIKE is sold among 39 countries, and in Europe alone among 19 EU member states. According to information spread by SPIKE, so far more than 33,000 missiles have been delivered worldwide and nearly 5,500 of them have already been used in exercises, training or real combat missions.
India will purchase more Israeli Spike anti-tank missiles, sources said
The Indian army intends to acquire the Israeli anti-tank guided missiles to strengthen its capabilities on the border with China, as we reported in July this year. 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.
Spike missile weapon system by Eurospike was presented in Sofia, Bulgaria
The based in Germany joint venture Eurospike presented at a special event last July in Sofia`s hotel its own Spike missile weapon system. The company unveiled more details about Spike SR short-range missile system, Spike LR2 5th generation multi-purpose missile system and Spike ER2 5th generation extended range missile.
"We believe Spike series can be useful to Bulgarian army. Of course, we`re ready to propose not only armored combat vehicles solution but missile integration for the Bulgarian Air Force, Bulgarian Navy or Bulgarian Land Force" the Corporate Regional Director for Europe Mr. Yizhar Sahar told BulgarianMilitary.com. "Spike missile series in multi-functional and flexible system. It can be integrated in any vehicle, depending on customer`s request" he also said.
Read more: Germany Buys More Rafael Spike Missiles and Hundreds of Launchers
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. 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.
"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. "We are ready to offer a product of Bulgaria that will guarantee its security and quality" also he said.
BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that besides Latvia, Estonia has signed a framework agreement with Eurospike to acquire Rafael-made Spike anti-tank guided missiles for €40 million [approx. $45 million] a month ago.
Read more: Top 5 best anti-tank missile systems in the world
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BulgarianMilitary.com
Boyko Nikolov
Boyko Nikolov is the conceptual creator and columnist in BulgarianMilitary.com. He has worked for a Bulgarian defense company in the field of military optics and surveillance systems. Boyko graduated EMBA from City University of Sheffield. He currently lives in Bulgaria.