India to buy Israel Spider Air Defense System
Interceptor Shield Report
Nathan J Hunt
August 23, 2009
India’s Armed Forces are in final negotiations with Israeli owned Rafael Defense Company for the purchase of eighteen Spyder all weather air defense missile systems. The Spyder system is a multiple launch missile system that is self-propelled and can operate in night or daytime operations, the system is capable of engaging fixed and rotary wing aircraft, drone aircraft and guided armaments. Full purchase and transfer of the systems from Israel to India should be completed by sometime around 2011 or 2012, the total cost of the eighteen spyder systems will total around $1 billion for the launchers and missiles, no word yet on if the contract will provide for purchase of additional reloads for training of units with the new system at later date.
The system will provide India with an enhanced ability for defending important sites and deployed forces from air attack as India continues to expand their air defense capability. This new purchase also marks a growing cooperation on defense system sales between Indian and Israel.
