Two countries recently tested newly manufactured surface-to-surface guided missiles. Greek and Israeli naval forces carried out acceptance launches of new rocket systems manufactured by Rafael.
The tests of the SPIKE NLOS and ER guided missiles were carried out on October 21 in the wider maritime area of the northern Cretan Sea.
The SPIKE guided missiles were successfully fired from a MACHITIS-class gunboat and a MARK V special operations vehicle, confirming the effectiveness and operational value of the new weapon system. In addition, cooperation with Israeli Navy ships contributed to improving operational interoperability between the two navies.
The trial also included a torpedo firing from a submarine
The attempt also included a torpedo launch from a submarine to sink the decommissioned frigate HS MPOUMPOULINA (F-463). In addition, Israeli Navy units also conducted guided missile firings.
The Greek Navy’s first acceptance tests with the SPIKE NLOS and SPIKE ER2 guided missile systems manufactured in Israel demonstrated the effectiveness of the weapons. The exercise took place in the northern Cretan Sea and brought together a wide range of Greek naval units, air platforms and Israeli missile boats to demonstrate operational readiness and strengthen interoperability between the two navies.
The event highlights Greece’s efforts to improve its maritime strike capabilities while strengthening its strategic partnership with Israel amid an increasingly complex security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Precision-guided weapons developed by Rafael
The missile launch tests involved two types of precision-guided weapons developed by Rafael. These included the SPIKE Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile and the SPIKE Extended Range (ER2) missile. Both systems were successfully launched from their designated platforms, demonstrating the operational value of the new installations.
The SPIKE NLOS was launched from a Machitis-class patrol vessel, while the SPIKE ER2 was launched from a Mark V special purpose ship. These trials represent a significant step towards the commissioning of the new weapon systems in the Greek Navy.
The SPIKE NLOS system provides a reported strike range of up to 20 miles (32 kilometers), enabling Marine units to attack surface targets and support operations against coastal targets. Its electro-optical and infrared guidance capabilities provide operational flexibility, including engaging targets that may not be directly visible to the launch platform.
The decommissioned Elli-class frigate was hit during guided missile tests
The decommissioned Elli-class frigate was hit during guided missile trials and subsequently sunk by an SUT torpedo fired from a Type 214HN Papanikolis-class submarine. The sequence demonstrated the ability of various naval weapon systems to participate in a coordinated fight against a surface target.
The sinking also highlighted the value of realistic live-fire exercises for validating weapons, training crews and assessing the performance of integrated naval capabilities.
For the Greek Navy, the event provided an opportunity to demonstrate its newly installed missile systems in operational conditions while demonstrating coordination between surface combatants and submarine forces.
