SPYDER surface-to-air missile system

SPYDER is an Israeli short- to medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile system from Rafael. Indian reporting tied it to the 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes when a Pakistani surveillance drone was shot down near Gujarat's Kutch border.

2019 India-Pakistan Border SkirmishesIndia

Conflict side: India
Built by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Built in: Israel

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Image source: Wikimedia Commons Spyder missile system.jpg

Profile

Type: Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system
Conflict side: India
Origin: Israel
Service note: Modern quick-reaction air defense

SAM air defense counter-uav

Service History

Used by: Indian Air Force
Wars: 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes

Production History

Built by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Built in: Israel
Produced: 2005-present
Variants: SPYDER-SR, SPYDER-MR, SPYDER-ER, SPYDER-LR

Specifications

Missiles: Python-5 infrared-guided and Derby active-radar missiles
Range: Up to 40 km for SPYDER SR/ER and roughly 60 km for SPYDER MR in Rafael references
Launch: Slant-launch quick-reaction missile system with lock-on-before-launch capability
Mobility: Truck-mounted mobile launcher and control package
Operation: Autonomous or networked air defense against low-level aerial threats

Conflict Usage

2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes: Side: IndiaRole: Quick-reaction border air defense against dronesair defense counter-uav UAV
2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes: used by Indian forces to shoot down a Pakistani surveillance drone near Gujarat's Kutch border on 26 February 2019.

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system Images

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Spyder missile system.jpg

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Rafael SPYDER SAM System.JPG

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 3 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Spyder missile system.jpg

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Sources

SPYDER familyPublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports SPYDER family background, manufacturer context, slant launch, and range information. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 SPYDER All-in-OnePublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports SPYDER mobile, autonomous air-defense background and system configuration. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 ANI report on Gujarat drone shoot-downPublisher: Business Standard | Note: 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes: used by Indian forces to shoot down a Pakistani surveillance drone near Gujarat's Kutch border on 26 February 2019. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Wikimedia Commons Spyder missile system.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the SPYDER launcher photo used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Wikimedia Commons Rafael SPYDER SAM System.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an additional SPYDER launcher display photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Wikimedia Commons SPYDER.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the third SPYDER launcher photo in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-21