The defence forces across the globe are currently in a very alert, active, anticipated state. The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are inducting advanced Israeli anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with longer ranges and greater armour-penetration capabilities. This move comes amid the long-standing border clashes with China in eastern Ladakh. Added to that, the influence of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis seems to have nudged orders of the Israeli ‘tank killers’ under emergency procurements. Several Russian tanks and other armoured vehicles were torn down by Ukrainian troops armed with US-origin Javelin ATGMs and western next-generation light anti-tank missiles (NLAWs).

The Army is inducting the Israeli Spike LR-2 launchers and missiles, which offer a ground strike range of 5.5-km, while the IAF is integrating its Russian-origin Mi-17V5 armed helicopters with Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles that can destruct ground targets around 30-km away.

The Army is inducting the Israeli Spike LR-2 launchers and missiles, which offer a ground strike range of 5.5-km, while the IAF is integrating its Russian-origin Mi-17V5 armed helicopters with Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles that are pilot controlled, can be armed with various kinds of warheads and can destruct ground targets around 30-km away. The Spike LR-2 missiles can be utilised with either a tandem HEAT (high explosive anti-tank) warhead, with 30 per cent more armour-penetration capability, or a smart multi-purpose warhead. Earlier, the Army had also inducted a limited number of an earlier generation of Spike tank-killers, with a strike range of 4-km.

Names like NLAW, Javelin and Stugna-P have received highlighted attention after the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Names like NLAW, Javelin and Stugna-P have received highlighted attention after the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This is due to the fact that the conflict in Ukraine has showcased the versatile nature of anti-tank missiles. In addition to targeting tanks, the Spike NLOS can be used to engage command centres, mobile air defences and other equipment, effectively becoming a multi-purpose weapon for the IAF.

Perhaps the versatility of these weapons further pushed the Indian Air Force into buying a unique long-range anti-tank missile system from Israel. According to the reports the Israeli Spike NLOS anti-tank guided missile is being integrated into the Russian-origin fleet of Mi-17V5 helicopters which can take out targets from long ranges and can prove to be very effective against enemy armoured columns in times of conflict.

According to Rafael, the Israeli company that makes the Spike family, 39 nations have purchased different variants.

The Spike NLOS is the most advanced member of the Spike family. It has a range of around 32 kms, nearly four times that of the US-made AGM-114 Hellfire, which is carried on the Apache attack helicopter. Rafael has modified the Spike NLOS to be fired from helicopters, land-based launchers, ships and naval patrol boats. Some of Spike's advantages include:

• The Spike NLOS uses an electro-optical seeker that enables the launch operator to clearly see targets, unlike missiles reliant on radar or infra-red guidance. The seeker is also coupled to a datalink that enables the launch operator to control the missile in flight to attack different parts of a tank or select another target, if not abort the strike.
• The capability for the operator to control the missile-known as man in the loop-enables engagement of moving targets and operations in bad weather.
• The electro-optical seeker also doubles up as a real-time reconnaissance system of the battlefield, giving invaluable information to the launch operator.
• The long range of the missile reduces the vulnerability of the launch aircraft to both medium-range anti-aircraft missiles and to short-range air defences, such as man-portable surface-to-air missiles like the US-made Stinger and British Starstreak. The Stinger and Starstreak are being used to deadly effect against Russian air power in Ukraine.

According to Rafael, the Israeli company that makes the Spike family, 39 nations have purchased different variants. The Spike NLOS has been used by the US, the British Army, Azerbaijan, etc. The Mi-17 has been designed with the capability to carry Russian-built laser-guided anti-tank missiles which would be an important upgrade for the army. However, these have significantly lesser range than the Spike NLOS.