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The Danish Armed Forces Material and Procurement Office will purchase the SPIKE LR2 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) from EuroSpike in order to equip the reconnaissance and infantry units of the country’s two combat brigades. The purchase will be carried out through the NATO Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPA).

Starting this year, the battalions will be equipped with launchers and missiles as well as training and simulation means over a period of five years. Some of the systems will be integrated into remote-controlled PROTECTOR weapon stations from Kongsberg on the EAGLE V and PIRANHA V protected wheeled vehicles currently being delivered from General Dynamics European Land Systems.

SPIKE LR2 Advantages

The 5th generation SPIKE LR 2 ATGM is designed for use from vehicles and by dismounted forces with a target spectrum including medium and heavily armoured vehicles as well as fortified positions in a range band up to 5,500 metres. The infrared seeker, with CCD camera, transmits the image from the target to the shooter via glasfibre. This allows the missile to be used in both fire-and-forget and fire-and-observe modes. In the latter case, the shooter can change the target or abort the engagement after firing. Additionally, the engagement can be started without the shooter seeing the target when firing. In the final phase, the shooter can choose the angle of attack: direct or top attack.

By procuring through the NSPA, Denmark has secured a fast delivery, a good price and a good supply availability. The country has joined a group of 14 NATO countries that use interoperable SPIKE LR or LR 2 systems, including:

  • the Baltic countries
  • the Netherlands
  • Germany
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Italy

Thus, the Danish Armed Forces will be able to cooperate with allies using the same system and draw on common stocks / logistics in future operations in and outside Europe.

Gerhard Heiming