February 2, 2008: Spain is buying 200
Spike air-to-ground missiles from an American company (General Dynamics), which
subcontracts the manufacture of the missiles to an Israeli company (Rafael),
which developed the weapon. Also being purchased are 44 launch racks, that will
be fitted to Spanish Tiger helicopter gunships. Each helicopter normally
carried eight Spike missiles (in two launcher racks, each weighing 400 pounds,
including four 77 pound missiles.) The Spike ER missile has a range of 8
kilometers and is "fire and forget." It's similar to the U.S. Hellfire missile.
The entire purchase, including training and technical assistance, is worth $64
million.
