Wide Cooperation Between Germany and Israel Defense Industries

Released on Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH (Germany) and IAI/MBT missiles division (Israel) have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly offer an upgrade kit aimed at existing Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 main battle tanks with a gun-launched LAHAT missile system.

The LAHAT upgrade kit will extend the weapon system range of Leopard 1/2 main battle tanks to over 6,000 meters beyond current gun-launched projectiles. LAHAT is a laser-guided, anti-armor, pinpoint precision kill missile suitable for both 105mm (Leopard 1) and 120mm (Leopard 2) guns.

Increasing the effective firepower and main gun range with a cost-effective upgrade kit will enhance the survivability of existing Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 battle tanks.

Diehl (40%), Rheinmetall (40%), and Rafael (20%) have signed another agreement establishing a new company, EuroSpike GmbH, which will serve as the prime contractor for European customers of Spike family of anti-armor missiles. The Spike family of missiles covers ranges from 200 to 8,000 meters in its three main types (Spike-MR, Spike-LR and Spike-ER).

The Spike family of missiles have already been selected by the Armed Forces of Israel, Singapore, Netherlands, Finland and Poland.