The decision follows a previous procurement in 2020, when the Netherlands acquired over 2,000 Spike MR anti-tank missiles with a range of up to 2,500 metres. However, in response to evolving threat scenarios, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Dutch Ministry of Defence identified the need for advanced launch systems capable of engaging enemy armoured vehicles at greater distances, up to 5,000 metres.
The Spike LR2 system offers both ‘fire-and-forget’ and ‘fire, observe and update’ operational modes. The latter allows the missile to be controlled via a fibre-optic datalink, providing a fail-safe communication method that enables the mission to be aborted or a different target to be selected if necessary.
The Ministry highlighted that the Spike LR2 system is already in use by Germany and several other NATO countries, as well as Switzerland. This acquisition is expected to contribute to standardisation across allied forces, enhancing interoperability within NATO.
![Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters successfully test new Sea Venom anti-ship missile [VIDEO]](https://defence-industry.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Navy-Wildcat-helicopters-successfully-test-new-Sea-Venom-anti-ship-missile-VIDEO.jpg)
