Philippines confirms selection of Rafael SPYDER Air Defense System for GBADS requirements

The missile firing unit (MFU) of the Rafael SPYDER-MR air defense system. Photo c/o Army Recognition.

The Philippines' Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana confirmed last 24 January 2019 that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has selected the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems SPYDER Air Defense System from Israel.

This is to fulfil the PAF's requirement for Ground-Based Air Defense System (GBADS) as part of its Horizon 2 modernization phase between 2018 to 2022.

No specific quantity was mentioned by Sec. Lorenzana, although previous reports made by Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines places the total worth to at least 3 batteries of the SPYDER-MR medium range system. A typical battery may consist of around 4 to 6 firing units.

Rafael's SPYDER (Surface-to-Air Python Derby) air defense system comes in two variants: the SR (short range) which uses the Rafael Python V IR-guide short range missile and the Rafael Derby radar-guided medium range missile and paired with the IAI Elta ELM-2106NG ATAR tactical air defense radar; and the MR (medium range) which uses the same missiles, but fitted with a rocket booster to allow for greater range, and paired with the IAI Elta ELM-2084 AESA multi-mission radar.

The PAF selected the SPYDER ADS over other competitors, which includes the Bharat Dynamics Akash from India, LIGNex1 KM-SAM from South Korea, the Diehl Defence IRIS-T SLM from Germany, and the Almaz-Antey Buk-M3 from Russia's Rosoboronexport.

The Rafael SPYDER ADS is also used by other Asia-Pacific countries including India, Singapore, and Vietnam.


[1] Philippine News Agency
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Jerusalem Post
[4] Army Technology