India spikes its missiles
In what looms as a massive and costly mistake, the Indian government has decided to cancel its selection of Rafael’s man-portable Spike MR antitank guided missile (ATGM) in favour of an indigenous design.
India had concluded price negotiations to buy 5,500 Spike missiles and 275 launchers in June 2016, but then the government suddenly instructed the Indian Army to cancel the RfP earlier this month.
Such is the reigning confusion that Rafael had not been informed of the cancellation at the time of writing, but was instead reading media reports like everyone else. A contract had been expected to be
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs]()
Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs
Ripsaw M1 has been designed to support the US Marine Corps’ littoral missions by carrying diverse types of payloads and performing multiple missions. Shephard spoke with Textron to find out more.
-
![UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme]()
UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after health issues during an exercise. However, an investigation reported “no single causal mechanism of the symptoms reported by our soldiers but rather a combination of multiple factors”.
-
![Australia backs up investment promises with US$2.1 billion for Bushmaster and HIMARS]()
Australia backs up investment promises with US$2.1 billion for Bushmaster and HIMARS
The Australian government is ordering another 268 Thales Bushmaster medium protected mobility vehicles along with HIMARS for a second long‑range fires regiment.
-
![Battle management C2 systems are driving the next phase of integrated air defence]()
Battle management C2 systems are driving the next phase of integrated air defence
Battlefield and wider air defence C2 systems integrating a range of agnostic sensors have risen in prominence, from Turkey’s Aselsan developing Steel Dome to Northrop Grumman providing its own system to Poland and the US Army.
-
![Supacat awaits new MoD contracts for British Army Land Mobility Programme]()
Supacat awaits new MoD contracts for British Army Land Mobility Programme
A joint Supacat-KNDS Germany capability day showcased the platforms on offer for the British Army's upcoming vehicle programmes and highlighted UK-focused industrial commitments.
-
![Ireland targets improved anti-drone capability before mid-year ahead of EU presidency]()
Ireland targets improved anti-drone capability before mid-year ahead of EU presidency
With Ireland's EU presidency set to commence from July this year, the ramped-up efforts to procure a counter-uncrewed aerial system and radar capability under its Military Radar Programme are on track to meet targeted roll-out dates.
