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The changing nature of warfare, rising conflicts and the never-ending great-power competition has given rise to complex geometries in global geopolitical positioning. The world's future is filled with eternal uncertainty. The advances in technology such as quantum computing. artificial intelligence and digital surveillance have transformed the military worldwide. As a driving force, technology has embedded itself in the power showbiz and has initiated an unprecedented competition between global powers including the emerging middle power. Acquiring innovative power, capacity to invent and adapting fast to new technologies is now a key determinant for all involved in the ongoing power game in the emerging new world order.

Raksha Anirveda’s latest web feature attempts to evaluate and understand the impact of technology in reshaping India's power aspiration through its Indian Armed Forces’ modernisation programme. The featured articles have been diligently curated. These articles analyse Indian Armed Forces’ adoption of innovation and technology. procurement of critical technology to become Aatmanirbhar, adaptability to disruptive and emerging technologies, and its digitisation efforts to emerge as a strong future-ready force. Raksha Anirveda invites esteemed readers - the driving force behind its evolving benchmark to indulge, explore and evaluate the feature presentation. Happy Reading!

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Morocco Selects Rafael’s SPYDER Air Defence System

By ARIE EGOZI

Editor Defence Industry

SPYDER

Tel Aviv: Morocco has selected the Rafael SPYDER air defence system for its short range air defence needs. The SPYDER system developed by Israeli company Rafael is operated by 8 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, the first Arab country to do so, as well as the Czech Republic, the first NATO member to deploy the system. The system is also in possession of the armed forces of Georgia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines.

The SPYDER made by Rafael is a low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas.

 

According to an official release of Rafael there are four variants of the system. These are:

  • The SPYDER-SR and SPYDER-ER 360° provide quick reaction, lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) and lock-on-after launch (LOAL) capabilities, while extending the range of defence to up to a 40 km radius.
  • SPYDER-MR and SPYDER-LR offer medium & long range target interception through vertical launch while pushing the defence envelope up to an 80 km radius.

Rafael says that all the variants enable a 360° launch within seconds of the target being declared hostile ‒ and provide all-weather, multi-launch, and net-centric capabilities. The official release points to the fact that the SPYDER systems have advanced ECCM capabilities and use electro-optical observation payloads as well as wireless data link communication.

The UAE interest in the Israeli system began soon after the signing of the Abraham Accord. The UAE needs an effective system that can protect it from armed UAV’s and drones launched by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.