Why in the News?

Israel's Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-tank guided missiles were recently delivered to the Indian Air Force.

About the Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) Anti-tank Guided Missile:

• The Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) Anti-tank Guided Missile (ATGM) is a sophisticated fire-and-forget missile designed for anti-tank and anti-personnel purposes.
• It features a tandem-charge high-explosive warhead.
• Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defense technology company, the Spike NLOS ATGM comes in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants.
• The missile is currently in use by the defense forces of Israel and 38 other countries, including India, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Peru, Spain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the UK, Philippines, and Singapore.
• Key features of the Spike NLOS ATGM:
• Striking range of up to 30 kilometers
• Weight of 71 kg, and
• An electro-optical seeker that offers superior target visibility compared to radar or infrared-guided missiles.
• The missile's seeker is equipped with a datalink, enabling the launch operator to maintain control over the missile during flight.
• This capability allows for precise targeting, including attacking different parts of a tank or engaging an alternative target, or aborting the strike if necessary.
• The Spike NLOS ATGM can be armed with various types of warheads, making it versatile for destroying tanks, and air defense systems, or for use in urban combat scenarios.