Latvia MoD signs contract for Spike anti-tank guided missiles.

The Latvian MOD signed on Monday (February 12th ) a contract in the amount of 108 million Euros, with EuroSpike GmbH, for production and delivery of a variety of Spike Family Missiles. The Spike Family consists of 4th and 5th generation electro-optical missile systems, providing high precision and high lethality against various targets, including advanced MBTs.

The Spike-LR is a man-portable version. (Picture source: Rafael )

The SPIKE system was developed by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., which is also involved in the deal as a subcontractor through EuroSpike with Diehl Defense GmbH & Co. KG and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH. SPIKE is in operational use in over 29 countries, including many NATO countries. Over 29,000 missiles have been supplied. Approximately 5,000 SPIKE missiles have been fired in combat and in training. SPIKE has been integrated on more than 40 platforms, aerial, vehicular and naval, including from modern remote-controlled weapon stations.

The SPIKE Family consists of missiles suited for land, air and sea platforms, multiple ranges and a variety of targets. The missiles in this family have sophisticated electro-optic CCD or IIR sensors for day/night all-weather operation, as well as a tandem warhead. Spike is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The missile is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker. The NLOS (Non Line Of Sight)version of the Spike missile has a maximum firing range of 25 km.

Non-line of sight is a term often used when the radio transmitter and receiver are not in the direct visual line of sight, and this is dealt with by the use of multiple paths in signal propagation. There is two main types of Spike missile, the SPIKE-ER which is an extended-range, multi-purpose anti-armor missile system designed for mounting on various platforms, including helicopters, fast boats and combat vehicles. The SPIKE-MR and SPIKE-LR which is the man-portable version in the Spike family.