Poland to spend $100M on ‘several hundred’ long-range Spike antitank missiles

Breaking Defense with reference to Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak says "a modernized and well-equipped army is a guarantee of our security which is why we are constantly strengthening the Polish army using the possibilities of the Polish arms industry. Caliber.Az republishes the report.

Poland says it has agreed to acquire “several hundred” Spike LR (Long Range) antitank guided missiles (ATGM) to be produced in country by Mesko, a weapons supplier belonging to the PGZ state armaments group.

The announcement, made by Poland’s minister of defense Mariusz Blaszczak, in a social media post today, is valued at “around $100 million,” according to manufacturer Rafael.

“Today, we signed another contract with the Polish defense industry for the supply of several hundred Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles in the coming years,” said Blaszczak, according to a translated version of his Twitter post. “A modernized and well-equipped army is a guarantee of our security which is why we are constantly strengthening [the] Polish Army using the possibilities of the Polish arms industry.”

The Spike LR variant has been used by the Polish Defense Forces since 2004, with Mesko locally producing missile parts and managing final assembly of the weapon.

Warsaw’s latest order adds to a procurement of 2,675 Spike LR weapons and 264 launcher units placed in 2003. An additional purchase of 1,000 Spike LR munitions was also made in 2015. Polish defense website Defense 24 reported earlier this week that the Polish Armed Forces will “this year” receive Spike LR launchers for integration on Rosomak Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), alongside ZSSW-30 turrets being fitted to the vehicles.

The latest Spike LR deal also builds on an industrial partnership in 2020 between Israel’s Spike producer, Rafael, and Mesko, when the two agreed to co-produce the shoulder-launched Spike SR (Short Range) ATGM, as part of Poland’s Pustelnik (short range) program.

According to Rafael company literature, the Spike LR was based off the Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) weapon, offers a range of 4 kilometers and has been acquired by 27 countries. The manufacturer also says the missile has been “widely used” in conflict to engage targets including armored vehicles, enemy bunkers and enemy radars.