DEFENCE
DEFENCE
ARMAMENTS

The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) air defence missile system was developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and can incorporate features (e.g. radar) from other Israeli companies such as Elta Systems of Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI).
The SPYDER system can engage aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and precision-guided munitions such as cruise missiles and stand-off weapons.
The system provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces within a range of 20 to 80 km depending on the version.
The SPYDER launcher is designed to fire PYTHON-5 and I-DERBY surface-to-air missiles, which can also be launched from aircraft.
The PYTHON-5 missile features a dual-band Imaging Infrared (IIR) detector, while the I-DERBY has an active radar detector (active BVR).
A typical SPYDER squadron consists of:
- A Command and Control Unit (CCU) mounted on a wheeled vehicle;
- A radar which is either self-propelled (in the SPYDER-SR – Short-Range – and ER – Extended Range – versions, it is on the same vehicle as the CCU) or towed in the SPYDER-MR (Medium Range) and LR (Long Range) versions. The system has an open architecture and allows the integration of various radar sensors e.g. the Elta EL / M 2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar;
- 3-6 Mobile Firing Units (MFU) with integrated electro-optical sensor (EOS), TopLite, and 4 missiles (in any combination with PYTHON-5 and I-DERBY);
- Missile supply vehicles.

© Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
The slant missile launching method, SPYDER-SR and SPYDER-ER feature a 360° operation, lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) or lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capabilities for high kill probability at short distances with a range between 20 km (SR version) and up to 40 km (ER version).
The SPYDER-MR and SPYDER-LR offer target interception in medium (up to 40 km) and long-range (80 km) respectively via almost vertical launch. The maximum interception height is about 20,000 meters (LR version).

© Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Also read: IRIS-T SLM GBAD system | Egypt’s choice to boost air defence – PHOTOS & VIDEO
The SPYDER systems feature all-weather day and night as well as advanced electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities.
The Czech Ministry of Defence recently signed an agreement for the acquisition of the SPYDER-MR with Elta AESA ELM-2084 Multi-Mission Radars (MMRs), at a total cost of $ 627 million, so as to replace 4 2K12 KUB artillery squadrons of Soviet origin.
It is noted that the BUK system version, which is also in service with the National Guard (BUK M1-2), was the replacement of the KUB system.

Shot 2K12M KYB of the Czech Republic / © 25th Air Defense Missile Regiment
With information from: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, defenceredefined.cy.com
Also read: I-Dome | The innovative, mobile version of Iron Dome
ARMAMENTS
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
Skopje | Confirms delivery of Su-25 fighters to Ukraine
Skopje finally proceeded with the delivery of Su-25 close air support fighter jets to Ukraine, according to the country’s Defence Minister…
SIPRI | Increase in arms imports to Europe – US dominance of global arms trade
Imports of major weapons by European states increased by 47% between 2013-17 and 2018-22, while the global level of international arms…
Iran | Supply of Russian Su-35 fighter jets
Iran will purchase technologically advanced Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. As announced by Iranian state media…
Skopje | Confirms delivery of Su-25 fighters to Ukraine
Skopje finally proceeded with the delivery of Su-25 close air support fighter jets to Ukraine, according to the country’s Defence Minister…
HNDGS | Hellenic Armed Forces participate in exercise “NOBLE DINA 2023”
From Wednesday 15 to Thursday 30 March 2023, the multilateral aeronautical exercise “NOBLE DINA 2023” (ND-23) will be held between…
Serbia – Kosovo | Vucic – Kurti agreement on how to implement EU proposal for normalization of relations
Following a 12-hour meeting in the city of Ohrid, Skopje, Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Prime Minister of Kosovo…
Cyprus | Explanation demanded from Hungary for using a pseudo-state flag in the presence of officials
Nicosia expresses its strong discomfort with the use of the “flag” of the pseudo-state during the extraordinary meeting of the…
NATO | “Green light” by Erdogan to Finland
Yesterday, Tayyip Erdoğan gave his consent for Finland’s accession to NATO, with a 10-month delay, yet maintaining the Turkish veto…
International Criminal Court | Arrest warrant for Putin
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of being responsible…