SPYDER

Israel's family of mobile, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile systems, combining Python-5 and Derby interceptors to defeat aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles from short to extended ranges, with a counter-tactical-ballistic-missile option added in 2023.

Overview

SPYDER — an acronym for Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby — is a mobile, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with radars from Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta subsidiary. It repackages the combat-proven Python-5 short-range imaging-infrared missile and the Derby/I-Derby active-radar missile into ground-launched interceptors, giving one battery the ability to engage a wide threat set from low-signature drones to fast jets and, since 2023, incoming tactical ballistic missiles. The system is fielded in slant-launch (SR/ER), vertical-launch (MR/LR) and a single-vehicle All-in-One (AiO) configuration, and it has been sold to more than ten countries, becoming the first Israeli-made air-defense system integrated into a NATO air-defense array via the Czech Republic and selected by Romania. Wikipedia maintains an operator list that includes Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Kenya, the Philippines, Singapore, the UAE, Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

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