The Spike missile system was designed and developed by Rafael in Israel. Originally built for the Israel Defense Forces, the Spike has seen global use and is now in service with militaries from Canada to India. Despite its somewhat humble origins, the system has become wildly successful.
Its performance is on par with the American Javelin, and in some ways even better. The system comes in multiple variants.
Spike Missile: Origins and Development
Development of the Spike began in the late 1970s, when Israel sought a domestically produced, highly accurate anti-tank missile to replace older systems. Initially developed by Rafael, the project eventually expanded to include Rheinmetall Electronics and Diehl Defense.
The first operational variant, known as Spike NLOS (Non-Line-of-Sight), entered service in the early 1980s. Over the following decades, Rafael grew the Spike family to include several variants, each tailored to specific operational needs and ranges.
Spike Variants
The Spike SR, or Short-Range variant, is a lightweight, fire-and-forget missile designed for infantry use in close-quarter and urban combat. It has a range of up to 1,500 meters and is known for its portability and ease of use. The Spike MR, or Medium-Range version, extends the engagement envelope to 2,500 meters and includes a fiber-optic guidance system that allows for mid-course updates, making it suitable for infantry as well as light-vehicle platforms.
For longer-range engagements, Rafael developed the Spike LR and its upgraded version, the LR2. These missiles can reach targets up to 5,500 meters away and feature a dual-mode seeker that combines charge-coupled device (CCD) and infrared sensors. The latest variants also support fire-and-update capabilities and a top-attack profile similar to the Javelin; it is particularly effective against armored vehicles.
The Spike ER and ER2 variants push the range even farther, with the ER2 capable of striking targets up to 10 kilometers away. These are typically deployed from helicopters, vehicles, and naval platforms and are used for a wide range of missions including anti-armor, anti-structure, and anti-personnel operations.
The most advanced member of the Spike family is the Spike NLOS, which can engage targets at distances up to 32 kilometers from land, and up to 50 kilometers from aerial platforms. This missile is equipped with a real-time video feed that allows operators to view the target area during flight, retarget the missile mid-course, or abort a mission if necessary. Such capabilities make it ideal for strategic precision strikes, deep reconnaissance, and the elimination of high-value targets.
What Sets the Spike Missile Apart from Others
The Spike is unique in many ways, but its technological sophistication is especially remarkable. The use of multi-spectral seekers, which combine infrared and CCD sensors, enables the system to operate effectively in all weather conditions and at any time of day.
The missiles can be launched in either Lock-On-Before-Launch or Lock-On-After-Launch modes. The sophistication of its guidance systems means that these missiles are extremely hard to jam or disrupt while in flight and ensures high accuracy and maximum lethality.
The Spike system’s operational flexibility is an important advantage. The missile can be deployed from a wide variety of platforms, including infantry tripods, armored vehicles, attack helicopters, and naval vessels. Its modularity allows for seamless integration into any kind of force structure, reducing logistical complexity and simplifying training requirements.
The Spike missile has proven its worth in numerous conflicts, including the 2006 Lebanon War, various Gaza operations, the war in Afghanistan, and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. In each of these theaters, the Spike system neutralized heavily armored targets, fortified positions, and moving vehicles with exceptional accuracy.
Recent Developments and Global Adoption
In 2025, Rafael introduced the newest member of the Spike family: the sixth generation of the Spike NLOS missile. This newest addition incorporates salvo control, which allows for the simultaneous launch and control of up to four missiles; system hand-over, enabling the transfer of missile control between platforms mid-flight; and target image acquisition, which integrates aerial reconnaissance with missile targeting. The system also supports network-enabled warfare, allowing for third-party target designation and automatic navigation.
The Spike has been immensely successful on the global market, with more than 40 countries incorporating it into their armed forces. NATO member-states such as Germany, Poland, and Italy have integrated Spike variants into their military operations.
The U.S. Army has partnered with Rafael to develop an Americanized version of the Spike missile, which may eventually replace the aging FGM-148 Javelin system. Rafael also collaborates with EUROSPIKE GmbH, a joint venture with Diehl Defence and Rheinmetall, to produce and market Spike missiles across Europe.
T-72 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Russian T-72 on Fire in Ukraine. Image Credit: Twitter Screenshot.
Kamikaze FPV Drone Attack on Russian T-72. Image Credit: Twitter.
T-72 Attacked by Ukraine. Image Credit: Social Media Screenshot.
It is no understatement to say the Spike missile has had a profound impact on the global arms industry. The long-range engagement capability enhances operator survivability by allowing its users to remain at a safe distance from the battlefield.
Despite a unit cost ranging from $140,000 to $250,000, the system’s accuracy and versatility make it cost-effective in the long run. The mere presence of Spike missiles serves as a powerful deterrent against armored incursions due to their high accuracy and terrifying destructive power.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
