Reading level:

Rafael Spike (missile)

Rafael · Anti-Tank · Israel · Modern (1992–2009)

Rafael Spike (missile) — Anti-Tank
Open in interactive gallery →

The Spike is an Israeli family of fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missiles — Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' principal ATGM family + one of the most-widely-exported guided missiles worldwide. Rafael developed the Spike across 1981-present: Spike-SR (short-range, 800 m), Spike-MR (medium-range, 2.5 km), Spike-LR (long-range, 4 km), Spike-ER (extended-range, 8 km), + Spike NLOS (non-line-of-sight, 32 km). Service entry: original Spike 1997. About 30,000 Spike missiles + 5,000 launchers have been delivered to 35+ countries. The family is the most-successful Israeli weapons-export product.

The Spike-LR (most-common variant) uses a launch-from-tube fibre-optic-guided ATGM. Length 1.2 m, weight 13 kg, body diameter 130 mm. Maximum range 4 km, flight time 25 s. Warhead: tandem HEAT (defeats reactive armour + composite armour). Guidance: launch-by-wire fibre-optic data link — the gunner can update target choice mid-flight + perform top-attack profiles. The Spike-NLOS extends to 32 km + adds non-line-of-sight engagement via UAV / aircraft / third-party designator — making it functionally a small cruise missile. The fibre-optic link is unique among ATGMs + provides immunity to electronic jamming.

Spike service spans 35+ countries — including 19 NATO members + numerous non-aligned states. Major operators include Israeli Defense Forces (principal user, Spike-SR through NLOS in tank + infantry + helicopter variants), German Bundeswehr (Spike-LR2 for Tiger + Panther tanks), Polish Land Forces (Spike-LR + ER for Rosomak APCs), South Korean Army (licence-built Hyeongung), + Spanish Army. Combat use: extensive Israeli Defense Forces Gaza + Lebanon use, German Tiger combat in Afghanistan, Ukrainian forces using donated Spikes against Russian armour 2022-present. The Spike is currently the dominant export ATGM in NATO + Western-aligned forces — outselling the US Javelin in unit terms.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Spike is an Israeli family of anti-tank missiles. Rafael has built Spikes since 1981. About 30,000 Spike missiles and 5,000 launchers have been sold to 35 plus countries. The Spike is the most-exported Israeli weapon. The Spike has 5 versions, with ranges from half a mile to 20 miles.

The Spike-LR (the most-common version) is 4 feet long and 29 pounds, smaller than a school bus. Range is 2.5 miles, with a flight time of 25 seconds. The Spike-NLOS (the longest version) reaches 20 miles, making it almost a small cruise missile. The Spike uses a fiber-optic cable to send video back to the launcher during flight.

The Spike's fiber-optic cable is unique. As the missile flies, a fine glass cable unwinds from a spool. The video from the missile's nose camera comes back to the gunner through the cable. The gunner can change targets in mid-flight or pick the spot to hit on the tank. The cable cannot be jammed because it has no radio link.

Spike serves with 35 plus countries, including 19 NATO members. The American military, German army, Polish army, Indian army, and many others use Spikes. Spikes have seen combat in Ukraine since 2022, helping Ukrainian forces destroy Russian tanks. The Spike outsells the American Javelin missile in NATO export markets.

Fun Facts

  • The Spike is an Israeli family of anti-tank missiles, since 1981.
  • About 30,000 Spikes have been sold to 35 plus countries.
  • The Spike-LR is 4 feet long, smaller than a school bus.
  • The Spike-NLOS reaches 20 miles, almost a cruise missile.
  • The Spike uses a fiber-optic cable that cannot be jammed.
  • The Spike is the most-exported Israeli weapon.
  • Ukraine has used Spikes against Russian tanks since 2022.

Kids’ Questions

How does fiber-optic work?

A fiber-optic cable is a thin glass thread that carries light signals. The Spike has a tiny camera in the nose. As the missile flies, a fine cable unwinds from a spool, connecting the missile to the launcher. The camera's video travels through the cable back to the gunner. The gunner sees what the missile sees and can steer it. No radio signals are involved, so the link cannot be jammed.

How is it different from Javelin?

The American Javelin missile is fire-and-forget: the gunner fires and walks away, while the missile finds the target on its own. The Spike is gunner-in-the-loop: the gunner watches video and steers the missile. Both have advantages. The Javelin is simpler; the Spike is more flexible and harder to jam. Most NATO countries buy Spikes instead of Javelins because of the fiber-optic edge.

What is Spike-NLOS?

Spike-NLOS stands for Non-Line-Of-Sight. Most missiles need the gunner to see the target before firing. The Spike-NLOS can fly 20 miles to targets the gunner cannot see, using updates from a drone or other plane. This makes the Spike-NLOS almost a small cruise missile. It is one of the most-capable battlefield missiles in service.

Variants

Spike-SR (short-range)
800 m. Infantry man-portable.
Spike-MR / LR (medium / long-range)
2.5-4 km. Most-common variant.
Spike-ER (extended-range)
8 km. Vehicle + helicopter launch.
Spike-NLOS (non-line-of-sight)
32 km. Effectively a small cruise missile.

Notable Operators

Israeli Defense Forces (1997-present)
Principal operator. All variants in infantry + vehicle + helicopter use.
German Bundeswehr (2008-present)
Spike-LR2 for Tiger + Panther tanks.
Ukraine (2022-present)
Donated by multiple NATO states. Combat against Russian armour.
South Korea (licence)
Hyeongung licensed copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Spike outselling the US Javelin in NATO?

Three reasons. (1) Fibre-optic guidance — Spike's wire-link allows mid-flight target update + post-launch decision-making (vs Javelin's fully-autonomous fire-and-forget), important in dense urban combat where target identification is uncertain. (2) Family commonality — buying Spike gives a force a single weapon family covering 800 m to 32 km, on infantry + vehicle + helicopter platforms; Javelin only addresses the medium-range infantry role. (3) Export licensing — Israel grants production-licence terms (eg German Spike-LR2 assembly, South Korean Hyeongung licence) that the US Javelin programme rarely offers. The Spike family has been delivered to 19 NATO members + Israel's deeper European political integration through the 2010s-2020s expanded the customer base further.

Sources

See Also