Spike-LR Anti-Tank Guided Missiles | 15 Jul 2020

Why in News

The India Army is set to place a repeat order for Spike-LR (Long Range) Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) from Israel as part of emergency procurement.

• The decision comes in the backdrop of continuing tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Key Points

• Last year, the Army procured 12 launchers and around 250 missiles from Israel under the new emergency financial powers sanctioned by the Defence Ministry after the Balakot airstrike.
• Emergency Financial Powers:
  
  • Under these, armed forces have been given a free hand to procure equipment worth up to Rs. 300 crore on a priority basis with deliveries stipulated to be completed in three months but extendable up to six months.
  • Entirely new systems not in use were also allowed to be procured under the new powers.
• Spike-LR:
  • These are the 4^th generation Anti-Tank Missiles developed and manufactured by the Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Israel.
  • It is a portable anti-armour weapon system with a range of up to 4 km, which can be operated in fire-and-forget mode and in the fire, observe and update mode using the fibre-optic data link.
  • These are used by infantry soldiers, special rapid reaction forces, ground forces and helicopter aircrew.
  • It can work in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) mode allowing the gunner to operate from a covered position.
• The army recently decided to place a repeat order for 72,400 Sig 716 assault rifles from the USA as well.
  • They will replace the existing Indian Small Arms System (Insas) rifles manufactured locally by the Ordnance Factories Board.
  • They will be used by the troops in the counter-terrorism operations and frontline duties on the Line of Control (LoC).
  • India acquired the rifles under the fast-track procurement (FTP) programme.
  • The remaining forces would be provided with the AK-203 rifles, which are to be produced jointly by India and Russia at Amethi ordnance factory.
• The Army has a much larger requirement for ATGMs which will be met through indigenous Man-Portable ATGM under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Source: TH