India Close to Deploying Israeli Spyder Air Defense System

Sputnik News

18:08 12.05.2017

In the backdrop of tensions along the western border, India has successfully tested an Israeli surface-to-air Python and Derby (Spyder) missile system at Chandipur-on-sea against a UK-made unmanned aerial target. The trial was conducted on Thursday to check the operational readiness of the system.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – The Spyder is set to replace India's age-old air defense system, the Soviet-era Osa-AKM and 9K35 Strela-10, at six air bases and other critical locations along the western border.

"The Spyder SR system is a generation-and-a-half ahead of the Osa and Strela which were essentially designed four decades ago. The Spyder SR will provide a high degree of assurance in terms of air as well missile defense cover with a Lock On Before Launch (LOBL) as well as After Launch (LOAL), thus the reaction time will be much faster with high hit probability," Brigadier Rahul Bhonsle, a retired Indian Army brigadier and defense analyst, said.

The Spyder launches two different types of missile – Python 5 and Derby missiles – from the same launcher pad. Most of the upcoming jets – Rafale and LCA Tejas – of the IAF will be equipped to fire Derby missiles. The LCA Tejas also successfully launched a guided Derby missile on Thursday.

India had inked a $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli company in 2008-09 for the supply of 90 launchers.

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