An incredible 50,000 Spike missiles have been sold to date.
By Hezy Laing
Rafael’s Spike missile system has emerged as the most dominant and widely adopted anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) platform in the world.
Developed in Israel, the Spike family now serves in over 40 countries, including more than 20 NATO members, making it a global benchmark for precision strike capability.
Its versatility across infantry, vehicle, helicopter, and naval platforms has positioned it as a preferred choice for modern militaries seeking adaptable and reliable firepower.
Unlike older wire-guided systems, Spike offers advanced electro-optical guidance, fire-and-forget capability, and man-in-the-loop control, allowing operators to adjust targeting mid-flight.
Rafael has continuously evolved the system, with the sixth-generation Spike NLOS variant capable of striking targets up to 25 kilometers away—far beyond the reach of most competitors.
This long-range precision, combined with real-time video feedback and multi-target engagement, gives Spike a tactical edge in both open terrain and urban warfare.
In combat scenarios, Spike has proven its effectiveness repeatedly.
It has been deployed in conflicts ranging from Lebanon and Gaza to Afghanistan and Nagorno-Karabakh, where its pinpoint accuracy and lethality against armored vehicles and fortified positions have been well documented.
Its modular design allows for seamless integration into a wide array of platforms, reducing logistical complexity and training time.
Spike’s popularity is not just a result of its performance but also adaptability. Nations seeking to modernize their ground forces have increasingly turned to Spike as a future-proof solution, capable of evolving with emerging threats and battlefield demands.
As warfare continues to shift toward precision and multi-domain integration, Rafael’s Spike system remains at the forefront, redefining what anti-tank missiles can achieve in the 21st century.
Other leading anti-tank missiles include the American FGM-148 Javelin, which has seen widespread use Ukraine, where it gained status for its effectiveness against Russian armor.
While Javelin is known for its top-attack profile and portability, Spike’s extended range, dual seeker modes, and networked targeting capabilities offer a broader operational envelope.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Kornet EM, known for its laser guidance and armor-piercing capabilities, remains a dominant force in Middle Eastern and Eurasian arsenals.
Additional emerging systems like Germany’s MILAN, Turkey’s Karaok, and South Korea’s AT-1K Raybolt, are gaining traction, but haven’t yet reached global deployment.
With an incredible 50,000 missiles sold to date, the Israeli made Spike is far and away the world’s most popular and internationally adopted anti-tank missile.
