SPIKEs for Slovakia

The Slovak Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Eurospike (a European joint venture between Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., Diehl Defence, and Rheinmetall Electronics) for the delivery of the advanced 5th generation of SPIKE LR2 ATGM and corresponding ICLU launch units (Integrated Control Launch Units). The procurement was conducted through the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA).

The Slovak Army is the sixth military force to opt for the modern 5th generation SPIKE LR2 and is part of 34 other SPIKE user nations. Slovakia is also the third NATO nation to deploy the SPIKE LR2 and will be seamlessly transitioning from the 4th generation SPIKE LR missiles to the 5th generation SPIKE LR2 missile variant. The 5th generation can be launched from the same vehicle or portable missile launchers.

In April 2018, the Slovak Ministry of Defence released successful results from the field test phase of the Slovak Turra 30mm Remote Control Weapon Stations (RCWS) mounted on Patria vehicles, including multiple firings of vehicle-mounted SPIKE missiles from the EVPU RCWS.

The current contract includes dismounted launch units, which means that the SPIKE LR2 is now the ATGM of choice for both Slovak infantry and cavalry.

SPIKE LR2 is an advanced fifth-generation electro-optical missile with multiple platforms, missions, and ranges, featuring an enhanced range of 5.5 km, fire and forget capability, and man-in-the-loop features such as mid-flight retargeting, engaging hidden targets beyond line of sight, and the ability to engage targets not in the line of sight based solely on their geo-coordinates.

Slovakia is among the 19 EU/NATO SPIKE missile user nations. To date, over 33,000 SPIKE missiles have been delivered worldwide, with over 6,000 SPIKE missiles fired in both training and combat.

EUROSPIKE online: www.eurospike.com