Israel has announced tests of “destructive” naval strike missiles in the thick thickness of the tenuous peace in West Asia. Additionally, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has also revealed important information regarding the integration of the spider air defense system into a multi-layered air defense network.
According to an IDF press release, the Israeli Navy, Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) and the Ministry of Defense’s Defense Research Bureau (DDR&D) conducted operational tests of SEA missiles from the new Gabriel 5 Sea on February 6th. Missiles are reportedly known as the Advanced Navy Strike System by IDF.
The missile was launched against a mock target simulating an enemy warship as part of a military drill, successfully completing engagement, tracking and detection procedures in combat-like situations. Defense authorities welcomed the test as an important step to strengthen Israel’s ability to launch maritime attacks.
Head of Brigg, DDR&D research and development unit. General Yehuda Elmakias said, “The successful launch will increase the operational freedom for the Israeli Navy and enhance the maritime advantage,” and Israel’s ability to protect infrastructure, strategic assets and civilians We emphasized that we will increase the
Gabriel 5 has the ability to accurately target enemy warships and is one of the most sophisticated naval attack systems in the Israeli Navy.
Capt, the head of weapons of the Israeli Navy. A. “The success of this test will mark a major advance in the Israeli Navy’s attack capabilities, ensuring that they can best deal with threats in the maritime realm. Israeli Navy soldiers operate with excellent professionalism and accuracy, and The abilities tested and proven in this test have already been applied to combat in all arenas and offer substantial operational benefits to our powers.”
This release did not provide details regarding the technical specifications of the missile. However, Israel has used Gabriel series, air, sea and ground-proof missiles since the 1970s. Since Gabriel first got his job in 1972, five variants of missiles have been produced.
Previously, Israel successfully fired a Gabriel 5 missile in 2022. The missile range is thought to be between 200 and 400 km.
According to some open source information, the Gabriel-5 is equipped with a sophisticated flight control system and an innovative active radar seeker. This is a fatal combination that allows you to accurately attack your target in conflict or messy environments with electronic countermeasures. Missiles can operate in all weather conditions, day and night.
Previous reports at the Israel-based Jerusalem Post found that the missile is 4.3 meters long and weighs 760 kilograms, allowing target acquisition using INS-based navigation and active radar homes It said there is a high explosive ammunition warhead. According to the report, missiles could be fired in either fire and forget or fire and update mode.
It does not move straight towards the target, making it difficult for the interceptor radar or optical system to detect and strike. Additionally, there are marine skin properties that make it difficult for radar to identify and intercept.
In particular, missile operational testing came as Iran, Israel’s biggest enemy in the region, announced its first drone carrier warship on February 6th. As recently reported in the Eurasian era, Iran’s Shaedbag helidrone carrier is designed as a mobile mariim. As a drone and helicopter platform, and as a support ship for high-speed attack boats. It can also carry USVS and short-range cruise missiles.
It is appropriate to note that Israel views Iran and its growing military capabilities as a direct threat to its security. Israel also accused Iran of military supplying Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houtis. All of these are fighting a long-term proxy war with Israel in the region.
In another development, the IDF also revealed that its spider air defense system was integrated into a layered air defense network in October 2023, in the wake of hostilities with Hamas.
Spider went online in Israel after Hamas attacked
The IDF recently confirmed that the Rafael Spider Air Defense System was operationally deployed by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in October 2023 during a conflict with Gaza-based extremist group Hamas.
Surface to Air Python and Derby, also known as Spyder, are Israel’s inherent short-range air defense systems. It can attract multiple targets at the same time and fire in single, multiple, or ripple patterns. It has all-weather capabilities to work both during the day and at night.
“Previously, the Spyder system was not integrated by prioritizing other intercepting measures within the constraints of available resources,” an IDF spokesperson unit told the publication. The IDF said it had decided to purchase equipment in accordance with emergency operational requirements during the war. The purchase was made after professional and operational testing, and the integration was completed systematically with the approval of all relevant authorities.
“The Spider System represents a new concept of the Israeli Air Force’s air defense wing,” he added.
Rafael is a major contractor for the Spider Program and has Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) as its main subcontractor. It can target a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and precision guided ammunition.
The weapon system is designed to protect both the points and area defenses of the mobile forces in the combat zone, as in contrast to other air defense systems in Israel, spiders are movable and do not need to be operated from a fixed location. It’s been done. The main components of the Spyder system include truck mounted command and control units, missile firing units with Python 5, derby missiles, field service vehicles, and missile supply vehicles.
Additionally, these vehicles are air-conditioned and protected from biological and chemical threats. The modular design of the Spyder System provides rapid field maintenance with rapid module replacement.
The IDF did not specify the version of Spyder you purchased. The Spyder family includes a variety of mobile, rapid air defense systems with long-term features. These systems include Spyder SR, Spyder MR, Spyder LR, Spyder ER, and the latest model, Spyder All-in-One. Industry sources told Janes that the Spyder All-in-One (AIO) version is currently in use and intercepts several types of drones.
Raphael previously said that Spyder is the only Israeli-made air defense system integrated into NATO’s air defense system. The company also notes that Spyder already offers a rapid, low-level surface-to-air missile system.
This low-level, rapid-response autonomous technology is used to defend forces on the battlefield by interfering with aerial attacks from helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, precision guided missiles, and other aircraft. The fact that the system was integrated after the country was hit by a crisis speaks of the Spider’s capabilities.
