Highlights

• A deal to procure the Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel through the government-to-government route has been brought before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval. Validation trials of the infrared seeker (IR) are to be held.
• Once the DAC accords approval, the trials will be performed during the summer

Not up to the mark

• The deal is for 170 launchers, 4,500 missiles and 15 simulators, will feature on the agenda of the DAC which is scheduled to meet early this week.

Off the shelf

• The deal was for 8,000-plus missiles and 300-plus launchers, along with technology transfer to build them in India.
• Spike is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, man-portable missile manufactured by Israel’s Rafael.
• In all, nearly 40,000 missiles are required to equip the Army’s 382 infantry battalions and 44 mechanised regiments.
• The indigenous low-weight missile was successfully flight-tested twice by the DRDO from the Ahmednagar test range last week.

The Hindu