Table of Contents
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
- The India Air Force successfully test fired Israeli SPYDER air defence missile system from Pokhran Test Range. The SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
- This is seen as a bid to strengthen its preparedness to strike down any aerial threat from Pakistan.
- POKHRAN The Pokhran Test Range, a key component of India’s nuclear programme, is located in the municipality. The Indian Nuclear Test Site is located 45 km north-west of Pokhran town and 4 km north of Khetolai village
SPYDER MEDIUM RANGE MOBILE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM
OPERATORS
- Defense Forces of Georgia
- Indian Air Force
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Peru
- Philippines
SPYDER AND INDIA
- 18 SPYDER-MRs along with 750 Python-5 surface to air missiles (SAMs) and 750 Derby SAMs has been delivered.
- The SPYDER-MR has a greater operation range of 35 km and an altitude engagement of 16 km due to the missiles being equipped with boosters
RECENTLY IN NEWS
- On 26 February 2019, during the 2019 IndiaPakistan standoff, India used a SPYDER missile to shoot down a surveillance drone of the Pakistan armed forces at the Indo-Pakistan Border at Gujarat.
WHY DID INDIA BUY THE SPYDER MISSILE WHEN THEY HAVE AKASH?
- SPYDER (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) is a short and medium range, mobile, low-level, quickreaction surface-to-air air-defense system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions (but not ballistic missile).
Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF
WhatsApp