According to the Blog Mintfo, Philippines has selected the SPYDER from Israel as new ground based air defense systems (GBDAS) for its armed forces. The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an Israeli-made short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by the Company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with the collaboration of IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries).
Rafael Spyder MR medium-range air defense missile system at Paris Show, June 2013. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The SPYDER (Surface-To-Air Python & DERBY) is a quick reaction, low level surface-to-air missile system designed to counter attacks by aircraft, helicopters UAVs and precision guided munitions. The system provides effective protection of valuable assets, as well as first-class defense for forces located in the combat area.
SPYDER incorporates RAFAEL's most advanced, proven performance air-to-air missiles - the Derby active radar (RF) missile and Python-5, a dual waveband Imaging Infra Red (IIR) missile. The SPYDER family includes SPYDER-SR (Short Range) and SPYDER-MR (Medium Range) systems.
The SPYDER's truck-mounted Missile Firing Units (MFU) are equipped with both IIR and RF missiles. The MFU carries any combination (IIR/RF) of missiles on a rotatable launcher assembly. The system's high mobility allows quick deployment and operational agility. SPYDER has 360° day/night all-weather engagement capability. The system can also engage multiple threats simultaneously. It has Lock-On-Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-On-After Launch (LOAL) modes of operation. SPYDER’s intercept envelope spans from less than 1km to 15 km against targets flying at altitudes between 20 m and 9,000 m.
The SPYDER-SR (Short-Range) is a combat-proven, quick reaction, low level surface-to-air missile system designed to effectively counter attacks by aircraft, helicopters UAVs stand-off weapons and precision guided munitions. The SPYDER-SR provides excellent protection of valuable assets, as well as first-class defense for forces located in the combat area.
The SPYDER-MR Medium Range Air Defense Missile System (MRADMS) shares SPYDER-SR’s cutting-edge technology. The SPYDER-MR engages and destroys the same wide spectrum of threats at medium ranges. SPYDER-MR protects high-value assets (capital areas, air force bases, etc.) as well as maneuvering combat forces.