SPYDER
The SPYDER is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries. Rafael is the prime contractor and IAI is the major subcontractor for the SPYDER program. This system achieved a notable milestone in 2005 when missiles were fired against test targets in Shdema, Israel and scored direct hits. Since then, it has been showcased in multiple military exhibitions throughout the world.
The SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions. It provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas. 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. The SPYDER launcher is designed to fire Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles which share full commonality with the air-to-air missiles. There are two variants of the SPYDER: the SPYDER-SR and the SPYDER-MR. Both systems are quick reaction, all weather, network-centric, multi-launchers, and self-propelled. A typical battery consists one central command and control unit, six missile firing units, and a resupply vehicle. The SPYDER-SR uses the EL/M-2106 ATAR radar while the SPYDER-MR incorporates the EL/M-2084 MMR radar. The latter is the same radar used by the Iron Dome system currently in service with the Israel Defense Forces.
Current operators of the SPYDER missiles system include India and Singapore. Peru's order for the SPYDER was pending as of 2012. There are reports that claim that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War but these allegations and assumptions have never been verified.
Development
In 2005, the SPYDER successfully fired the Python 5 and Derby in a test range located in Shdema, Israel. The results were two direct kills against multiple targets. At the trial, the radar and command and control unit engaged the targets at both long and short ranges. The trial was part of a greater series of missile firings.Description
Command and control
EL/M-2106 ATAR
The Elta EL/M-2106 Advanced Tactical Acquisition Radar 3D Active electronically scanned array surveillance radar is the Command and Control Unit for the SPYDER-SR. This radar can track and engage multiple targets simultaneously and can control the missile firing units at a distance of up to 10 km away from the CCU. The E/LM-2106 ATAR is a fourth generation defence radar designed by Elta and operates in the L-band wavelength. It is a field proven design that has operated in undesirable environments according to the designers and manufacturers. The range of detection for a fighter aircraft is 70–110 km. It can detect hovering helicopters at a range of 40 km and UAVs at 40–60 km.EL/M-2084 MMR
The radar sensor unit of the SPYDER-MR comprises the EL/M-2084 Multi Mission Radar 3D AESA radar. The EL/M-2084 operates in the S-band. It can process up to 1200 targets when in air surveillance mode and also detects targets located 250 km away. When the radar is static, it covers 120° in the azimuth.Surface-to-air missiles
Ranges of Interception
As a short range air defence 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 operation range of 35 km and an altitude engagement of 16 km due to the missiles being equipped with boosters.Python-5
The Python-5 is currently the most capable air-to-air missile in Israel's inventory and one of the most advanced AAMs in the world. It is capable of "lock-on after launch", and has all-aspect/all-direction attack ability. The missile features an advanced electro-optical infrared homing seeker which scans the target area for hostile aircraft, then locks-on for terminal chase.Derby
The Derby is an active radar homing AAM that provides the SPYDER missile system with a fire-and-forget option due to its active radar guidance.In January 2023, Rafael announced that they had upgraded the Spyder to be able to counter tactical ballistic missiles by performing hardware and software upgrades to the Derby LR missile interceptor.
Variants
SPYDER-SR and SPYDER-ER 360° slant launching missile systems provide quick reaction, lock-on-before-launch and lock-on-after launch capabilities, while extending the range of defense to up to a 40 km radius.SPYDER-MR and SPYDER-LR offer medium & long range target interception through vertical launch while pushing the defense envelope up to an 80 km radius.
Both systems enable a 360° launch within seconds of the target being declared hostile ‒ and provide all-weather, multi-launch, and net-centric capabilities.
The SPYDER systems have advanced ECCM capabilities and use electro-optical observation payloads as well as wireless data link communication.
The SPYDER All-in-One configuration integrates the radar, command and control, and missile launchers onto a single 8x8 high-mobility vehicle chassis, rather than relying on a distributed battery structure. Designed for rapid deployment and independent operation against maneuvering forces or drone swarms, the AiO features "search-on-the-move" capabilities and carries up to eight canisterized Python-5 or I-Derby interceptors. In January 2024, the system successfully demonstrated a live-fire interception of a UAV during testing by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Operational use
- During the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, it was believed that Georgia operated the SPYDER-SR. The Georgian air force could have operated up to four launchers of the SPYDER-SR.
- On 26 February 2019, after the Balakot Airstrike, India used a SPYDER system to shoot down a surveillance drone of the Pakistan Armed Forces at the Indo-Pakistan Border at Gujarat.
- On 27 February 2019, during the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes, Indian SPYDER system shot down an Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 in Budgam, Kashmir. All six IAF personnel on board the helicopter and one civilian on the ground were killed. After 6 months of investigation, IAF confirmed that shooting down of Mi-17 was a friendly fire and 5 IAF personnel were held guilty.
Operators
Future operators
Kenya Defence Forces – In 2024, Kenya received a KSh1 billion loan from Israel to acquire the Spyder missile defence system. In 2025, Kenya received an additional KSh3.4 billion loan from Israel. The funding will support the procurement of advanced military hardware, SPYDER, including repayment of part of a previous Sh1 billion loan used to acquire the air defense system. Disbursement to the Ministry of defense was expected in July 2025. The Sh3.4 billion loan from Israel will cover nearly 70% of the Defense Ministry’s development budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.;
Romanian Land Forces – €3.85 billion for 41 launchers, to be purchased in two phases. It was in competition against the NASAMS from Kongsberg, the VL Mica from MBDA France, the KM-SAM from Hanwha and the IRIS-T SLM. It is to replace the S-75M3 and the MIM-23 Hawk air defence systems. For the SHORAD part, the Spyder was selected in July 2025. The offer will also include the Iron Dome system.