Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: ANI
Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has acquired Israeli Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-tank guided missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 30 km away.
- It is developed and designed by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Features:
- Lightweight, fire-and-forget tactical precision-guided missiles using electro-optical and fibre-optic technologies.
- The missiles will be integrated with Russian-origin Mi-17V5 helicopters, enhancing the IAF’s ability to engage hidden targets behind mountains or hills.
Significance:
- The delivery of these missiles follows the IAF’s interest in them due to concerns over border tensions, particularly near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
- The IAF aims to bolster its arsenal through indigenous production and foreign acquisitions to address security threats, as demonstrated by this acquisition of long-range anti-tank missiles.
