Munitions

Python-5 air-to-air missile

Also known as
  • PYTHON-5
  • Python 5
  • Rafael Python-5
  • Python-V
  • SPYDER Python-5

Python-5 is Rafael's fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, built around a dual-waveband imaging infrared seeker, lock-on-before-launch and lock-on-after-launch modes, and a full-sphere launch envelope. Public sources document Israeli F-16 use against Hezbollah UAVs in 2006 and Gaza-launched drones in 2021, while SPYDER batteries use Python-5 as the infrared-imaging interceptor alongside Derby-family radar-guided missiles.

Python-5 air-to-air missile, Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, Munitions
Image source: Wikimedia Commons Python5-missile001.jpg

Role in Conflicts

2006 Lebanon War
Air Defense
Side
Israel

CSIS reports that Israeli F-16 pilots shot down Hezbollah UAVs with Python-5 missiles during the 2006 Lebanon War after adapting radar detection against the small-signature targets.

2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis
Air Defense
Side
Israel

Defense News reported that on 13 May 2021, during the Israel-Hamas hostilities, an Israeli F-16 armed with a Python-5 air-to-air missile downed one of several drones launched from the Gaza Strip.

2025 India-Pakistan Conflict
Air Defense
Side
India

TurDef reported Python-5 and I-Derby-ER missile wreckage in India during the May 2025 clashes and noted that India's Python-5 inventory could be fired from fighters or SPYDER air-defense systems; the public report did not identify the launch platform.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile
Service note
Modern fifth-generation infrared missile
Designer
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Produced
2000s-present

Specifications

Guidance
Dual-waveband focal-plane-array imaging infrared seeker with CCD/IIR channel, INS, IRCCM, and flight-control algorithms
Launch modes
Lock-on-before-launch and lock-on-after-launch; Rafael describes a full-sphere launch envelope
Dimensions
105 kg weight; 310 cm length; 64 cm wingspan; 16 cm diameter
Employment
Dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile used by fighter aircraft and as the imaging-infrared interceptor in SPYDER batteries
SPYDER surface range
Rafael's SPYDER All-in-One brochure lists Python-5 SR maximum missile range as 15 km and maximum intercept altitude as 6 km in that configuration
Target set
Rafael SPYDER material lists aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, UCAVs, cruise missiles, and standoff weapons
Guidance And Launch Modes

Rafael describes Python-5 as a full-sphere missile for air-to-air and air-defense missions. The same missile family is used from fighter aircraft and as the infrared-imaging interceptor in SPYDER batteries.

Seeker

Dual-waveband focal-plane-array imaging infrared seeker with CCD/IIR channel, INS, IRCCM, and flight-control algorithms.

Launch modes

Rafael lists both lock-on-before-launch and lock-on-after-launch modes, supporting very short-range through near beyond-visual-range engagements.

SPYDER role

In SPYDER, Python-5 supplies the infrared-imaging interceptor channel while Derby-family missiles supply radar-guided options.

Carrier Aircraft

Public sources document Python-5 carriage or firing from F-16-family fighters and Tejas test aircraft.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter

CSIS and Defense News both document Python-5 use from F-16 fighters in UAV intercepts, and Defense News separately reports Singapore's upgraded F-16s can fire Python-5.

Sources: CSIS Lessons of the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War, Defense News Iron Dome UAV interception, Defense News Singapore F-16 Python-5

HAL Tejas, Single-engine multirole light combat aircraft family, Aircraft & UAVsHAL TejasLight combat aircraft

India's Press Information Bureau reported Python-5 firing from Tejas during April 2021 air-to-air missile trials.

Sources: PIB Tejas Python-5 trial

Air-Defense Integration

SPYDER uses Python-5 as its infrared-imaging interceptor, usually alongside Derby-family radar-guided missiles.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air DefenseSPYDER surface-to-air missile systemMobile air-defense launcher

Singapore MINDEF identifies SPYDER as Surface-to-Air Python-5 and Derby, while Rafael's SPYDER material lists Python-5 among the family interceptors.

Sources: Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheet, Rafael SPYDER family brochure, Rafael SPYDER All-in-One brochure

Companion SPYDER Interceptors

Python-5 provides the imaging-infrared channel in SPYDER batteries; Derby-family missiles provide the radar-guided channel.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Derby surface-to-air missile, Surface-to-air missile family, MunitionsDerby surface-to-air missileRadar-guided surface-to-air missile

Singapore MINDEF describes Python-5 and Derby as the respective infrared-imaging and radio-frequency guided missiles deployed by SPYDER.

Sources: Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheet

Timeline

Python-5 air-to-air missile Key Events

  1. Python-5 introduction reported

    F-16.net reported Rafael's introduction of Python-5 as the newest Python air-to-air missile, emphasizing the full-sphere launch concept, dual-waveband imaging seeker, INS, IRCCM, and F-15/F-16 operational-duty reporting.

    Sources: F-16.net Rafael introduces Python 5

  2. Combat use against Hezbollah UAVs

    CSIS later summarized reports that Israeli F-16 pilots used Python-5 missiles to shoot down Hezbollah UAVs during the 2006 Lebanon War.

    Sources: CSIS Lessons of the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War

  3. Singapore SPYDER service context

    Singapore MINDEF says the Republic of Singapore Air Force replaced Rapier with SPYDER in 2011 and identifies Python-5 as SPYDER's infrared-imaging missile.

    Sources: Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheet

  4. Tejas Python-5 firing

    India's Press Information Bureau reported Python-5 live firing from Tejas during trials at Goa, including all-aspect and beyond-visual-range target-engagement validation.

    Sources: PIB Tejas Python-5 trial

  5. Gaza-launched drone downed

    Defense News reported an Israeli F-16 with a Python-5 downed one of several drones launched from Gaza during the May 2021 fighting.

    Sources: Defense News Iron Dome UAV interception

  6. Singapore F-16 integration confirmed

    Defense News reported that Singapore confirmed upgraded F-16 fighters could fire Python-5, adding commonality with Singapore's SPYDER inventory.

    Sources: Defense News Singapore F-16 Python-5

Media

Python-5 air-to-air missile Videos

Python-5 air-to-air missile Images

Python-5 air-to-air missile, Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, Munitions - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons Python5-missile001.jpg
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Sources

Rafael Python-5 brochurePublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Official brochure supporting Python-5 identity, dual-use air-to-air/air-defense role, full-sphere launch envelope, LOBL/LOAL modes, seeker and guidance technology, dimensions, and SPYDER interceptor context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rafael Python-5 product pagePublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Official product page for Python-5 identity, manufacturer context, dual-use role, and current product framing. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F-16.net Rafael introduces Python 5Publisher: F-16.net | Note: Specialist aviation report on Python-5's 2003 introduction, full-sphere launch concept, seeker/INS/IRCCM claims, and reported F-15/F-16 operational duty. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CSIS Lessons of the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah WarPublisher: Center for Strategic and International Studies | Note: Supports 2006 Lebanon War direct use: reports that Israeli F-16 pilots shot down Hezbollah UAVs with Python-5 missiles during the conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Defense News Iron Dome UAV interceptionPublisher: Defense News | Note: Supports 2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis direct use: reports that an Israeli F-16 with a Python-5 air-to-air missile downed a drone launched from Gaza on May 13, 2021. | Accessed: 2026-07-04TurDef India Python-5 and I-Derby-ER wreckagePublisher: TurDef | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct-use context: reports Python-5 and I-Derby-ER missile wreckage in India during the clashes, while noting the launch platform was not publicly identified. | Accessed: 2026-07-04PIB Tejas Python-5 trialPublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Official Indian release supporting Python-5 live firing from Tejas, all-aspect/beyond-visual-range trial context, and Tejas integration. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Defense News Singapore F-16 Python-5Publisher: Defense News | Note: Supports Singapore F-16 Python-5 integration, Rafael manufacturer attribution, full-sphere and seeker context, and inventory commonality with Singapore's SPYDER system. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheetPublisher: Ministry of Defence, Singapore | Note: Official Singapore source identifying SPYDER as Surface-to-Air Python-5 and Derby, replacing Rapier in 2011, and using Python-5 with infrared imaging guidance. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rafael SPYDER family brochurePublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Official SPYDER brochure supporting Python-5 and Derby-family missile integration, SPYDER target set, 360-degree slant launch, LOAL/LOBL capability, and air-to-air missile commonality. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rafael SPYDER All-in-One brochurePublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Official SPYDER All-in-One brochure supporting single-vehicle launcher context, Python-5 SR missile loadout, listed range/altitude in that configuration, and rapid firing-mode readiness. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons Python5-missile001.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Open-license provenance page for the Python-5 image used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons Python5 missile.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Open-license provenance page for the cropped Python-5 image in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04