Netherlands will order Spike LR 2 anti-tank missiles from Rafael.

In the early 2000s, the Netherlands replaced their American-made M47 Dragon and TOW anti-tank missiles with a single system, the Spike, designed by the Israeli group Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. A total of 297 launchers and more than 2,400 missiles were acquired to meet the needs of the army and the marine infantry. However, over time, these Spike missiles have now become outdated or are close to it. This was highlighted by Gijs Tuinman, the Dutch State Secretary for Defense, in a letter addressed to the House of Representatives on September 2.
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Soldier of 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade working with Spike missile, March 2024,  (Picture source: 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade)

The Dutch official explained, "The current system is reaching the end of its technical and operational lifespan after 25 years. As a result, it is experiencing increasing technical failures, and its maintenance is difficult. Moreover, the optical target detection and missile guidance systems are obsolete." He added that replacing this capability is "urgent, partly due to the deteriorating security situation in Europe." But also because delivery times must be considered. "Ordering later leads to delays and higher prices," Tuinman continued, emphasizing the need to place an order by October 31 at the latest.

The argument for a deadline to place an order was also made by the Danish Ministry of Defense when replacing the CAESAr systems given to Ukraine with ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Elbit Systems. In fact, it is from the Israeli group that the Netherlands intends to procure new anti-tank missiles, specifically the Spike LR 2. These missiles "can neutralize enemy combat vehicles up to a distance of 5,000 meters. Additionally, they can engage targets without direct line of sight. These modernized anti-tank weapons are provided exclusively by Rafael," the Dutch Ministry of Defense stated in a press release.

The Spike missile is a family of anti-tank missiles developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The Spike is designed to be versatile, capable of being launched from various platforms, including infantry, armored vehicles, helicopters, and ships. It stands out for its multi-mode guidance capability, combining wire or fiber-optic guidance with an autonomous mode using an electro-optical sensor. This allows the Spike to adapt to combat conditions, offering high precision against stationary or moving targets at distances ranging from a few hundred meters to several kilometers. The Spike is available in several versions, each optimized for different ranges and missions, including the Spike SR (Short Range), Spike MR (Medium Range), Spike LR (Long Range), and Spike ER (Extended Range).

The Spike LR 2, one of the most recent versions, represents a significant improvement over its predecessors. This long-range missile (up to 5.5 km) is equipped with enhanced penetration capabilities, making it particularly effective against modern reactive armor. Additionally, it incorporates advanced target recognition and tracking systems, as well as the ability to update the mission in flight, allowing operators to adapt their attack based on battlefield developments. The Spike LR 2 is also designed to be interoperable with existing systems, making it an attractive choice for many armies worldwide, including the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, similar missiles are also available on the European market, notably the Akeron MP, offered by MBDA. This missile is the cornerstone of the European MARSEUS (Modular Architecture Solutions for EU States) project, which aims to develop a beyond-line-of-sight firing capability as part of a cooperation between France, Sweden, Belgium, and the Republic of Cyprus.

That said, the Netherlands' choice is not surprising, given that the Spike LR 2 has already been selected for the mid-life modernization (MLU) of some of the Dutch army's infantry fighting vehicles. Moreover, Tuinman highlighted the interoperability with other NATO countries equipped with it, starting with Germany, which also chose the missile developed by Elbit Systems for its MELLS project. As for financial aspects, the contract that the Dutch Ministry of Defense intends to sign should not exceed 250 million euros. If the order is placed before the end of October, deliveries could be completed by 2028.