Air Defense

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system

Also known as
  • SPYDER
  • Surface-to-Air Python and Derby

SPYDER is Rafael's Israeli mobile air-defense family built around Python-5 imaging-infrared and Derby active-radar interceptors. The family spans slant-launch and vertical-launch configurations for point, area, and maneuver-force defense, and Indian forces used the system during the 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes.

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

Role in Conflicts

2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes
Air Defense
Side
India

Indian forces used SPYDER/Derby to shoot down a Pakistani drone near Gujarat's Kutch border on 26 February 2019; later reporting on the IAF probe also tied the 27 February Budgam Mi-17 friendly-fire shoot-down to India's own SPYDER system.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system
Service note
Modern quick-reaction air defense
Produced
2005-present

Specifications

Interceptors
Python-5 dual-band imaging-infrared and Derby/I-Derby active-radar missiles; longer-range configurations use booster-equipped derivatives
Range envelope
Current Rafael material gives SR/ER up to 40 km and MR/LR up to 160 km; Rafael's 2021 brochure described the family as 20-80 km
Launcher configurations
SR/ER use 360-degree slant launch; MR/LR use vertical or near-vertical launch; All-in-One combines radar, electro-optical sensor, command system, and launcher on one vehicle
Battery composition
Rafael's brochure describes a standard battery with truck-mounted command-and-control, radar, 3-6 missile firing units with TopLite electro-optical sensors, and support vehicles
Reaction time
SPYDER All-in-One can reach stationary firing mode in about three minutes
Targets
Rafael describes the family for aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, bombers, and stand-off weapons
Variants

SPYDER family designations describe launcher and range configurations rather than separate missile types; Rafael groups SR, ER, MR, LR, and All-in-One under the same Python/Derby-based air-defense family.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
SPYDER-SRShort-range slant-launch configuration

Rafael groups SR with the slant-launch quick-reaction SPYDER configurations; current Rafael material gives SR/ER a range up to 40 km.

Sources: SPYDER family

SPYDER-ERExtended-range slant-launch configuration

Rafael pairs ER with SR as a slant-launch configuration with lock-on-before-launch capability and a range up to 40 km.

Sources: SPYDER family

SPYDER-MRMedium-range vertical-launch configuration

Rafael describes MR/LR as vertical-launch configurations; the Rafael brochure says MR/LR use the same missiles as SR/ER with an added booster assembly.

Sources: SPYDER family, Rafael SPYDER family brochure

SPYDER-LRLong-range vertical-launch configuration

Current Rafael material gives MR/LR a range up to 160 km; older brochure material framed the family as 20-80 km, so public range figures depend on configuration and source date.

Sources: SPYDER family, Rafael SPYDER family brochure

SPYDER All-in-OneSingle-vehicle autonomous configuration

All-in-One integrates radar, electro-optical sensor, command system, and launcher on one platform; Janes reports a three-minute transition to stationary firing mode.

Sources: SPYDER All-in-One, Janes SPYDER All-in-One test

Carried Munitions

Rafael's public material presents SPYDER as a launcher family for interchangeable Python and Derby interceptors.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Python-5 air-to-air missile, Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, MunitionsPython-5 air-to-air missileImaging-infrared interceptor

Rafael's SPYDER family material identifies Python-5 as the infrared-guided interceptor used in the system, and Singapore MINDEF identifies Python-5 as SPYDER's infrared-imaging missile.

Sources: SPYDER family, Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheet

Derby surface-to-air missile, Surface-to-air missile family, MunitionsDerby surface-to-air missileActive-radar interceptor

Rafael's SPYDER family material identifies Derby-I as one of the interceptors the system can launch.

Sources: SPYDER family

Documented Interceptor Mix

Rafael's public material treats SPYDER as a modular launch system rather than a single-missile battery. The family combines infrared and radar-guided interceptors depending on configuration and mission.

InterceptorGuidancePublic SPYDER role
Python-5 air-to-air missile, Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, MunitionsPython-5Imaging infraredInfrared-imaging interceptor in SPYDER batteries.
Derby surface-to-air missile, Surface-to-air missile family, MunitionsDerbyActive radarRadar-guided interceptor used in SPYDER batteries.

Sources: SPYDER family; Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheet; Janes SPYDER All-in-One test.

Timeline

SPYDER surface-to-air missile system Key Events

  1. India approves a SPYDER purchase

    India approves an order for 18 mobile SPYDER systems.

    Sources: JPost Spyder deal

  2. India test-fires SPYDER at Chandipur

    Indian trials fire SPYDER at an unmanned aerial target.

    Sources: The Diplomat SPYDER test

  3. Rafael announces Counter-TBM SPYDER upgrade

    Rafael announces a Counter-TBM option for SPYDER based on system updates and DERBY-LR interceptors.

    Sources: Defense Update SPYDER Counter-TBM

  4. SPYDER All-in-One clears an Israeli test

    Rafael and Israel's MoD test the All-in-One configuration.

    Sources: Janes SPYDER All-in-One test

Media

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 Rafael SPYDER SAM System.JPG
SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, Short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons Spyder missile system.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
Python-5 air-to-air missile, Fifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missile, MunitionsMunitionsPython-5 air-to-air missileFifth-generation dual-use air-to-air and air-defense missilePython-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.
Stunner interceptor, Missile interceptor, Air DefenseAir DefenseStunner interceptorMissile interceptorThe Stunner interceptor is the two-stage hit-to-kill missile fired by David's Sling, Israel's mid-tier air and missile-defense layer co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon. CSIS describes the missile as using radar datalink updates and onboard terminal seekers, while RTX markets SkyCeptor as a Stunner-family variant for short- to medium-range missile-defense threats. Source-backed operational use is documented in Gaza-related interceptions and the post-October 2023 Israel-Hezbollah fighting.
MiG-21 Bison, Upgraded supersonic fighter-interceptor, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsMiG-21 BisonUpgraded supersonic fighter-interceptorThe MiG-21 Bison was India's final MiG-21bis upgrade, combining the Soviet-origin Fishbed airframe with a Kopyo radar, modern navigation/attack avionics, countermeasures, helmet-cued short-range missile employment, and beyond-visual-range missile compatibility. Its most tightly documented combat use in the catalog is the 27 February 2019 India-Pakistan aerial engagement over Kashmir; the type left Indian Air Force service in September 2025.

Sources

SPYDER familyPublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports SPYDER family background, manufacturer context, interceptor mix, slant launch, and range information. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SPYDER All-in-OnePublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports SPYDER mobile, autonomous air-defense background and system configuration. | Accessed: 2026-07-04ANI 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: 2026-07-04ThePrint Budgam friendly-fire probePublisher: ThePrint | Note: 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes: reports that the IAF probe tied the 27 February 2019 Budgam Mi-17 friendly-fire crash to India's own Israeli-made SPYDER air-defense system. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NDTV SPYDER Budgam sequencePublisher: NDTV | Note: 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes: reports the launch of a SPYDER surface-to-air missile from Srinagar air base on 27 February 2019 during the Budgam Mi-17 friendly-fire incident. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Singapore MINDEF SPYDER fact sheetPublisher: Ministry of Defence, Singapore | Note: Official Singapore fact sheet supporting SPYDER's Python-5/Derby missile fit, 360-degree engagement, and infrared/radio-frequency seeker distinction. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rafael SPYDER family brochurePublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Official Rafael brochure supporting SPYDER configuration, battery composition, interceptor mix, and older public range framing. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Defense Update SPYDER Counter-TBMPublisher: Defense Update | Note: Reports Rafael's 2023 Counter-TBM SPYDER upgrade based on hardware/software updates and DERBY-LR interceptors. | Accessed: 2026-07-04JPost Spyder dealPublisher: The Jerusalem Post | Note: 2009: India approved a deal for 18 mobile SPYDER systems, with deliveries expected by 2012. | Accessed: 2026-07-04The Diplomat SPYDER testPublisher: The Diplomat | Note: 2017: Indian test firing from a mobile SPYDER launcher at Chandipur against an unmanned aerial target. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Janes SPYDER All-in-One testPublisher: Janes | Note: 2024: Rafael and Israel's MoD tested the SPYDER All-in-One configuration and reported a firing-mode timeline of about three minutes. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons Spyder missile system.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the SPYDER launcher photo used as the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons Rafael SPYDER SAM System.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an additional SPYDER launcher display photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons SPYDER.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the third SPYDER launcher photo in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04