Rafael to deliver Spike LR2 antitank missiles to Australia.

The Australian Army will get the Rafael Spike LR2 missile system under the Lethality System project (Land 159).

The Spike LR2 has a range of 5.5 km when fired from ground launchers (an increase of over 35% from the 4 km range of the original SPIKE LR) and up to 10 km when fired from a helicopter (using the RF Data Link) (Picture source: Rafael)

Commenting this acquisition, the Australian Army chief of Staff lieutenant general Rick Burr said: “The Long Range Direct Fire Support Weapon capability will enable our dismounted teams to engage armored targets faster at an increased range and with improved accuracy. Furthermore, the alignment with the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (Land 400 Phase 2) will enable the army to deliver improved operational effects for the ADF in sustainment, training and maintenance.

Spike LR2 is an advanced multipurpose missile designed for the future battlefield, with full commonality to the SPIKE Missile legacy. The 5th generation SPIKE LR 2 design is based on lessons learned from modern warfare, combined with accumulated data from more than 5000 SPIKE Missiles fired in combat and training across its large user base. The LR 2 is fully integrated with all existing types of SPIKE launchers in use today, enabling all of them to fire both LR and LR 2 Missiles. The LR 2 incorporates improvements in lethality and immunity to meet both present and future threats.