The Lithuanian Armed Forces have successfully received a shipment of Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles from the Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The delivery occurred under a contract worth 6 million euros, approximately $6.9 million. These state-of-the-art missiles will be integrated into the country’s Boxer-type infantry fighting vehicles, locally designated as “Vilkas.” The Vilkas vehicles are equipped with the Israeli-made Samson Mk II remote weapon station, which includes a 30mm cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, and specifically, the Spike LR2 missile launcher.
This recent acquisition follows a series of successful live-fire tests conducted in May. These tests saw participation from various entities, including the Lithuanian army, OCCAR (the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation), and ARTEC GmbH, a collaborative venture between KNDS and Rheinmetall.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense underscored the significance of this development as part of the nation’s ongoing military modernization efforts. Defense Minister Dovile Šakalienė emphasized the importance of enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces to deter potential threats and protect national sovereignty. “By upgrading the Lithuanian Armed Forces, we are ensuring the ability of our army to stop enemy forces from entering the territory of the country. This is a clear strategic signal and a consistent step towards increasing our combat power,” she stated.
The Spike LR2 missile is a fifth-generation, multi-purpose anti-tank guided weapon specifically designed to target armored vehicles. This advanced variant offers significant improvements over its predecessor, the Spike LR. Notably, the Spike LR2 features artificial intelligence-driven target tracking capabilities, enhancing its effectiveness in combat scenarios.
With a weight of approximately 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds), the missile boasts an impressive operational range of up to 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) when launched from the ground, and can reach distances of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) when launched from an aircraft. The missile measures about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) in length and has a diameter of 130mm (5.1 inches). It is equipped with a Tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead, designed to penetrate heavily armored platforms and infrastructure, particularly in urban settings.
This acquisition aligns with Lithuania’s strategic goals of bolstering defense capabilities amid growing regional security concerns, reaffirming its commitment to modernizing its military assets.
