Israeli Spike Anti-Tank Missile Failed To Meet Indian Army Standards

Following India’s termination of plans to acquire Spike anti tank missiles from Israel, new details regarding the circumstances of the arms deal's cancellation have emerged.  The Spike, developed by Rafael Systems, failed to pass trials conducted by the Indian Army which led the service to cancel the planned $500 million acquisition in favour of an indigenous platform developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation. The deal had included 321 launchers, 8,356 missiles and 15 simulators.

According to an Indian source a source familiar with the development, during testing of the Spike "the missile failed in multiple areas during summer trials. Sensors failed to detect the target during trials carried out in Pokhran.” The Indian Defence Ministry has dismissed claims that the Spike deal is critical because of the need for technology transfers, citing indigenous developments in anti tank missile technologies. The Ministry stated to this effect: "there is no need to acquire transfer of technology with the ATGM system on account of indigenous development of third-generation Man-Portable ATGM."