Swiss Army selects Spike LR2 as new anti-tank guided missile.

On April 4, armasuisse selected the model for a new anti-tank missile system with Spike LR2 from Eurospike. It is planned to propose procurement of the weapons systems to Parliament in the 2024 Armed Forces Dispatch.
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The Spike LR2 missile can be launched from a variety of launchers, including a tripod launcher, a vehicle-mounted launcher, and a helicopter-mounted launcher (Picture source: Swiss Government/Eurospike)

In order for the Swiss Armed Forces to be able to combat armored targets over greater distances, the ground troops need a long-range anti-tank guided missile system. With this in mind, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse) carried out a market analysis and subsequently requested information on anti-tank guided missiles from various European and American manufacturers. The information on which these requests focused included, for example, the function, the effect, technical data on the operations system, the potential integration in the existing infrastructure, and the commercial framework conditions.

Based on a detailed analysis of the information received, two of the manufacturers met the military requirements expected of the system. Further in-depth information and offers were then obtained from the two manufacturers remaining in the evaluation process.

The Spike LR2 missile has a top speed of Mach 1.7, or approximately 2,100 km/h (1,305 mph) (Picture source: Eurospike)

Spike LR2 from Eurospike chosen

The decision regarding which anti-tank guided missile system would be used by the Swiss Armed forces fell in favor of the Spike LR2 weapon system. The system produced by Eurospike and already used by numerous European armed forces demonstrated in the evaluation phase that it was the most useful in terms of military capabilities and was also the most attractive offer from a business perspective.

The chosen system is set to be initially used by the infantry on a mobile basis. The system will not be integrated into a carrier platform in the first stage. However, the possibility remains to integrate the Spike LR2 system into vehicles at a later date. Procurement is to be proposed to Parliament in the 2024 Armed Forces Dispatch.

The Spike LR2 is a third-generation anti-tank missile developed by the Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is a fire-and-forget, multipurpose missile designed to engage and destroy a variety of armored targets at ranges of up to 5.5 km (3.4 miles).

Guidance System: The missile uses an electro-optical, multi-purpose guidance system that enables it to engage a variety of targets, including armored vehicles, bunkers, and fortifications. The guidance system includes an advanced seeker with automatic target tracking and a dual-mode seeker that can switch between day and night modes.

Warhead: The missile is equipped with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, designed to defeat reactive armor and other advanced armor systems. The warhead has a penetration capability of over 1,000 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA).

Range: The missile has a range of up to 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles), allowing it to engage targets at extended distances. The missile can be fired from ground launchers, vehicles, and helicopters.

Speed: The missile has a top speed of Mach 1.7, or approximately 2,100 km/h (1,305 mph).

Launchers: The missile can be launched from a variety of launchers, including a tripod launcher, a vehicle-mounted launcher, and a helicopter-mounted launcher.

Fire-and-Forget: The Spike LR2 is a fire-and-forget missile, which means that once it is fired, it does not require further guidance from the operator. This allows the operator to engage multiple targets simultaneously.

Mobility: The missile can be rapidly deployed and redeployed, making it ideal for use in mobile warfare scenarios. It can also be operated in all weather conditions, including dust, smoke, and fog.

The Spike LR2 missile can be transported on the back of a soldier (Picture source: Swiss Government/Eurospike)

Eurospike

Eurospike is a joint venture based in Röthenbach a.d. Pegnitz (D) between Diehl Defence GmbH, Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The development, design and qualification of the system will be carried out for the most part at Rafael in Israel. A large part of the SPIKE LR2 components for the European market are produced across locations in Germany.

Clarifications on the previous system

The anti-tank guided missile TOW (Tube launched, Optically tracked, Wire guided) procured over 30 years ago constitutes the main armament of the anti-tank armored personnel carrier 90 (wheeled armored personnel carrier, manufactured by GDELS-Mowag), which is to be decommissioned. The anti-tank armored personnel carrier 90 was procured in 1990. In 2018, Parliament approved the motion for decommissioning; this is to be put into practice from 2024.

Before the start of decommissioning, armasuisse will contact the original manufacturer or manufacturing country in each case to clarify whether there is interest in repurchase or whether the systems are to be disposed of. These clarifications are also ongoing in the present case.

Defense News April 2023