Dedicated drone munitions could unlock modular mission potential
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
Germany builds up its MELLS stocks
The German Army is ordering hundreds more Spike LR lightweight anti-tank missiles and associated launch units. (Photo: Bundeswehr/Mario Bähr)
The latest order from Germany includes 666 Spike LR missiles and 82 integrated command and launch units.
The Eurospike JV between Diehl Defence, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Rheinmetall has received another contract to supply Spike missiles and launchers to the German Army.
Eurospike will provide an extra 666 Spike LR guided missiles and 82 more integrated command and launch units for about €88 million ($103.65 million), with deliveries scheduled for 2022-2024.
The missiles are earmarked for German infantry and mechanised infantry units (including those operating the Puma IFV). According to Shephard Defence Insight, the German Army inventory already includes about 3,000 Spike LR and medium-range missiles.
This is the fourth batch of Spike missiles to be provided to Germany, where it is known as MELLS. Eurospike and German defence procurement agency BAIINBw agreed the original multi-year framework contract in October 2019.
The framework contract includes an option to make and supply about 100 integrated command and launch units ‘as well as thousands of MELLS guided missiles during the period 2024 to 2031’, Rheinmetall announced on 29 March.
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