By Arie Egozi in Tel Aviv
The Spanish army is to equip its Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters with Rafael’s Spike-ER anti-armour missile, with the French army also evaluating the weapon for its production aircraft.
Eurocopter has already partially integrated the Spike weapon system on the Tiger using initial funds from Spain, with this work culminating with four test launches of the 8km (5 mile)-range weapon. A full contract is now expected to be placed by year-end to arm Spain’s future fleet of 24 Tigers. Spain has already decided to purchase the ground-launched LR version of the Spike to equip its land forces.
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| The Spike-ER will equip 24 Spanish Tigers |
Spain had originally considered acquiring the Trigat LR missile for the Tiger with France, but later decided against procuring the weapon. French army officials also visited Israel last May, during which time a French pilot launched three Spike-ERs from an Israeli air force Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. All three weapons struck their targets, according to Rafael. The fibre-optic-guided Spike-ER weighs 33kg.
Source: Flight International
