EUROSPIKE: Germany builds rockets themselves

Eurospike, a joint venture between Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Diehl Defence, and Rheinmettal Electronics GmbH, has signed a multi-year framework contract for the delivery of SPIKE (also known as MELLS in Germany) missiles and launchers to the German Bundeswehr. The missiles and launchers will be produced in Germany by local German companies, in line with RAFAEL's global policy of partnering with domestic industries, leading to knowledge transfer and local job creation.

The contract was signed by representatives of Eurospike and BAAINBw in a ceremony that took place in early November at the offices of the German Ministry of Defence's (BAAINBw) in Koblenz.

As part of the framework agreement, the first order was placed for the delivery of 1500 missiles and hundreds of RAFAEL's new Integrated Control Launch Unit (ICLU) missile launchers.

The multi-year framework contract will allow the Bundeswehr to procure additional SPIKE missiles in the coming years to achieve a high launcher-to-rocket ratio.

The Bundeswehr currently employs both the portable SPIKE (MELLS) launcher and the vehicle-mounted launcher on the Bundeswehr Puma, Marder, and Wiesel.

SPIKE is a state-of-the-art, precise, platform-agnostic, multi-mission, and multi-range electro-optical missile family with Fire-and-Forget capabilities as well as Fire, Observe and Update, allowing for an attack on concealed targets.

With 33 SPIKE missile users worldwide, Germany is among the nineteen SPIKE users in the EU and NATO. Over 30,000 SPIKE missiles have been delivered worldwide so far, with over 5,500 SPIKE missile launches, both in training and combat.

Moshe Elazar, EVP, Head of RAFAEL's Land and Naval Division: "This is a significant contract for Eurospike and consequently for RAFAEL, as a global leader in 5th generation ATGM providers. It will undoubtedly strengthen the Bundeswehr's position as one of the strongest ATGM forces in Europe. The cross-national commonality of SPIKE missiles and launchers allows nations to manage shared SPIKE missile inventories, establish joint procurement, and maintain mutual support. Combined with local production within Europe by Eurospike, SPIKE truly represents a common European missile."
EUROSPIKE website: www.eurospike.com