The Australian Army and the wider ADF will acquire the Rafael Spike LR2 missile system as its Long Range Direct Fire Support Weapon capability, under the Lethality System project (Land 159).
The project is seeking to acquire a range of lethal and non-lethal small arms and direct fire support weapons systems under five 'Enabling Streams': Target Systems and Simulation, Integration (both digital and physical, across maritime, air and land platforms), Sustainment, Munitions and Weapons Ancillaries Integration (including digital sights and advanced sensors).
Capability streams sit within this umbrella and include Direct Fire Support Weapons (Short, Medium and Long Range Direct Fire Support Weapons, Light Weight Mortar, Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher), with the long range fire support now confirmed to be Spike LR2.
Lieutenant General Rick Burr said the acquisition of the Spike LR2 system will contribute to the Army maintaining a competitive edge against evolving threats.
“The Long Range Direct Fire Support Weapon capability will enable our dismounted teams to engage armoured targets faster, at increased range, and with improved accuracy,” Lieutenant General Burr said.
“New technology and capabilities enable Army to challenge its adversaries in complex, remote and hostile environments.Army must be equipped and always ready to deal with warfare at all ranges, at all times.
“The alignment with the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (Land 400 Phase 2) will also enable Army to deliver improved operational effects for the ADF in sustainment, training and maintenance.”
The introduction of the Spike LR2 will ensure that Army is equipped with a modern and credible dismounted anti-armour guided missile system to target contemporary armoured threats.
Army in conjunction with Defence is currently considering options to address a Medium Range Direct Fire Support Weapon capability which will be presented to the Australian Government for consideration in 2022.
The Spike LR2 was confirmed as the the anti-tank guided missile on the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles in 2018. Varley and Rafael formed a joint venture and committed to building the LR2 in Australia.