Varley Rafael Australia, a joint venture between The Varley Group and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, will supply the Australian Defence Force with a fifth-generation portable, electro-optical anti-tank guided missile called Spike LR2 under a contract with the Australian government, according to a report from the Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said the weapon can be launched from various platforms, including armored vehicles, naval vessels and attack helicopters. The ADF can fire the Spike LR2 from the ground using fiber-optic technology at ranges of up to 5.5 kilometers or launch the weapon from aerial vehicles using radio frequency links to hit targets at distances of up to 10 kilometers.
The missile system features a tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead configuration designed to increase the weapon’s armor penetration by more than 30 percent.
Australia plans to launch Spike LR2s from the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles. Defence Connect reported that Rheinmetall was selected to deliver 211 CRVs to Australia under the $5.2 billion Land 400 Phase 2 program.
According to a Reuters report, Australia’s Defence Strategic Review released in April described long-range strike and guided weapons as fundamental capabilities that would enhance the ADF’s “ability to hold an adversary at risk.”