The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has officially received its third and final battery of Israeli Spyder short—and medium-range mobile air defense systems, marking a major milestone in the country’s air defense capabilities.
The formal acceptance ceremony took place on November 29 at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga, as highlighted in a social media post by the PAF.
The PAF’s Air Defense Command (ADC) had earlier showcased the new missile battery being inspected upon its arrival in the Philippines in a Facebook post on November 27.
“These newly acquired batteries are set to play a critical role in the forthcoming Air Defense Exercise, commonly known as ADEX. This large-scale exercise aims to test and enhance the operational readiness and interoperability of the Air Defense Command’s existing capabilities,” according to the PAF’s Air Defense Command.
ADC further added, “The inspection underscores the Air Defense Command’s commitment to its vision of becoming an Integrated, Agile, and Resilient force, capable of responding to modern threats and safeguarding national security.”
This new batch of Spyder batteries will complement the two previously delivered units in November 2022. All three batteries are now operational with the PAF’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group, based at Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga.
The Spyder missile systems were funded through a PHP5.8 billion (US$ 99.5 million) allocation under the PAF’s ground-based air defense (GBAD) initiative.
The acquisition of the Spyder system is part of the PAF’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities, especially in the face of evolving security threats in the region.
The three batteries were procured under the Horizon 2 modernization program, which ran from 2018 to 2022 and was a crucial step in boosting the nation’s defense infrastructure.
Following the procurement, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Israeli company that manufactures the Spyder missiles, also provided training for PAF operators and technicians and maintenance and service support.
The training began in early 2021 at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Additionally, Rafael has established a maintenance facility to support the systems’ long-term operations.
Early this year, the Philippines deployed the Spyder system for the first time in the annual joint US-Philippines military exercise. The system is known for its quick-reaction capabilities in neutralizing aerial threats.
It excels at low-level interception, protecting critical installations, land-based assets, and mobile platforms from various air threats, including surveillance aircraft.
Only three Southeast Asian nations—Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines—operate the Spyder air defense system.
SPYDER (“Surface-To-Air Python & Derby”) Air Defense System
The Spyder-ER is a medium-range air defense system that utilizes both the Python-5 (short-range) and Derby (medium-range) surface-to-air missiles compatible with the same launcher.
According to the manufacturer’s website, the Spyder system has been operational for over 15 years and has a proven track record. It is currently used by eight of the world’s most advanced military forces, including the Czech Republic, which became the first NATO member to deploy Spyder systems.
The Spyder family includes a range of mobile, quick-response air defense systems with short—to long-range capabilities. These systems include the SPYDER SR, SPYDER MR, SPYDER LR, SPYDER ER, and the newest model, the SPYDER All-in-One.
Rafael is the primary contractor for the Spyder program, with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) as the major subcontractor.
It can target various aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and precision-guided munitions. The weapon system is designed to defend both fixed assets and provide point and area defense for mobile forces in combat zones.
The SPYDER-SR (short-range) system features 360° engagement capability. Once a target is confirmed, missiles can be launched in less than five seconds.
The system’s kill range is between 1 km and 15 km, and it can engage targets at altitudes ranging from 20 meters to 9,000 meters.
It supports simultaneous engagement of multiple targets and single, multiple, and ripple firing modes. It is operational day and night and in all weather conditions.
The main components of the Spyder system include a truck-mounted command and control unit, a missile firing unit with Python 5 and Derby missiles, a field service vehicle, and a missile supply vehicle.
These vehicles are air-conditioned and provide protection against biological and chemical threats. The Spyder system’s modular design allows quick field maintenance through rapid module replacement.
In January 2024, Rafael successfully tested the Spyder system in its new All-in-One (AiO) configuration in collaboration with the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The test demonstrated the system’s ability to precisely intercept a UAV during a complex operational scenario.
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