Israeli Spyder System ‘Favorite’ For Indian Army’s $2.6 Billion SRSAM Program

Israeli Spyder air defense system is a frontrunner for Indian army’s INR 18000 crore (US $2.6 billion) short-range surface-to-air missile (SRSAM) program.

Apart from Rafael Advanced Systems (Israel), other competitors like Rosoboronexport (Russia) and SAAB (Sweden) for the SRSAM program that started in 2011 have faced compliance issues after being unable to perform during the technical trails that the Army conducted in 2015, Economic Times reported citing unnamed sources as saying Wednesday.

The Army will now be opening the price bid or go on for indigenous Akash SAMs. Akash missiles are reportedly tasked for stationary and defensive units. They have limited mobility and the reaction time is comparatively larger, the newspaper reported.

The Indian Army needs two regiments of SRSAMs and the programme is under the "global buy" clause, which means the company winning the contract is required to invest back in production and other ventures in India that includes the transfer of technology.

The Spyder is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system that has the capability of engaging various targets like aircraft, UAVs and drones, among others.It provides area defence for mobile forces in combat areas.

Moreover, the Indian Air Force has already inducted several Spyder systems, which are currently protecting vital IAF airbases.