India successfully test-fired Rafael IAI Spyder air defense missile.

On 9 August, the Indian Air Force successfully test-fired an Israeli-made Rafael IAI Spyder air defense missile from the Pokhran Test Range, India Today reports.

Spyder air defense missile system displayed at Eurosatory 2012 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Spyder (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an Israeli short- and medium-range mobile air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Spyder is already in the process of deployment along the western borders.

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. The system is fitted atop a Tatra truck, a Mercedes-Benz Actros truck, a MAN TGS truck, Scania P-series truck, Dongfeng truck, or a TELAR. It implements the Python-5 and Derby missiles of the same company. As a short-range air defense 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 operating range of 35 km and an altitude engagement of 16 km due to the missiles being equipped with boosters.

"The IAF will use the SPYDER along with the made-in-India Akash surface-to-air missile which has a little longer effective range of 25 km as part of a layered approach to defend vital assets and locations in the country," sources told India Today.