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
HELLAS SAT | Top-notch satellite systems showcased in BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024
HELLAS SAT, one of the leading satellite service providers in Europe and with a legacy spanning more than two decades, presented its…
Etemad | Iran’s New Ballistic Missile
Iran recently unveiled its new Etemad ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 km during a ceremony in Tehran attended by…
US Navy | Certification of the Operational Service of the New HELIOS Laser Weapon System
The US Navy has certified the operational service of the new HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance)…
Italy | AI Reproduction of Defence Minister’s Voice to Extract Money
A new “technological fraud” has caused turmoil in Italy. A gang allegedly used Artificial Intelligence tools to reproduce the voice of…
HNDGS | Signing of the Greece-Cyprus-Egypt Joint Action Plan and the Greece-Egypt Military Cooperation Programme
On Tuesday, 4 February 2025, the “Greece – Cyprus – Egypt Joint Action Plan” and the “Greece – Egypt Military Cooperation Programme” for…
HELLAS SAT | Top-notch satellite systems showcased in BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024
HELLAS SAT, one of the leading satellite service providers in Europe and with a legacy spanning more than two decades, presented its…
THEON International | Receipt of New Orders in January 2025–Participation in the German Future Soldier Programme
Theon International Plc (THEON) announces new order intake totalling €53 million so far in 2025, from a total of 12 countries.
Etemad | Iran’s New Ballistic Missile
Iran recently unveiled its new Etemad ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 km during a ceremony in Tehran attended by…
US Navy | Certification of the Operational Service of the New HELIOS Laser Weapon System
The US Navy has certified the operational service of the new HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance)…