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Israel Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
SPYDER
An Israeli mobile short-to-medium-range air-defense system that fires both Python and Derby air-to-air-derived missiles from ground launchers for quick-reaction coverage. It is widely exported for its flexible dual-missile loadout.
In service since 2007 · 10 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
35
km range
16,000
m altitude
4
targets
40
km radar
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Established · 10 operators
In service since 2007. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
- Max speed (Mach)
Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters.
- 4 Mach Stronger than 50% of air-defense systems
- Engagement range
Maximum distance at which an air-defense system can intercept targets. Higher covers more airspace.
- 35 km Stronger than 41% of air-defense systems
- Engagement altitude
Maximum target altitude the system can reach.
- 16,000 m Stronger than 40% of air-defense systems
- Simultaneous targets
Number of targets the system can engage at once. Higher resists saturation attacks.
- 4 Stronger than 22% of air-defense systems
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
- Main armament
Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.
- Python-5 and Derby interceptor missiles
- Warhead
Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range.
- 23 kg Stronger than 52% of air-defense systems
- Warhead type
Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.
- Fragmentation
- Guidance
How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.
- Imaging infrared homing, Active radar homing
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
- Radar
Primary radar. AESA (active electronically scanned array) is the current state of the art.
- EL/M-2106 ATAR 3D surveillance radar
- Radar range
Published detection range against a typical fighter-sized target. Higher sees first.
- 40 km Stronger than 19% of air-defense systems
- Datalink
Network connectivity: Link 16, MADL, national datalinks. Enables cooperative engagement.
- Command and control unit datalink
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
- Operator countries
Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.
- 10 Stronger than 86% of air-defense systems
Specifications compiled from public Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Diehl Defence IRIS-T SLM Frequently asked questions
What is the engagement range of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER has a maximum engagement range of 35 km.
What is the main armament of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER's primary weapon is the Python-5 and Derby interceptor missiles.
What is the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER used for? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER is a air defense system typically used for air defense.
How many countries operate the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER is operated by 10 countries.
How much does the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER cost? +
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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