Australia orders Spike LR II ATGMs for Boxer CRVs

The Spike LR II (pictured above) is being tested by an infantry team in manportable configuration. This is a fifth‐generation portable fire‐and‐forget ATGM system. (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has signed a contract with Rafael Australia to procure an unknown number of Spike LR II long-range anti‐tank guided missiles (ATGMs) for Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRVs), the company announced on 22 August.

According to Rafael, the procurement is part of Australia's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, which aims to equip the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with next-generation guided weapons.

This is the ADF's first procurement as part of the GWEO Enterprise, Rafael said. “This acquisition will support the Boxer CRV capability being delivered [to the Australian Army] under Project Land 400 Phase 2.”

The Australian Army is procuring 211 Boxers from Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) under a USD5.2 billion contract signed in 2018 as part of Project Land 400 Phase 2.

According to Janes Weapons: Ammunition , the Spike LR II is a fifth‐generation portable fire‐and‐forget ATGM system. The missile weighs 12.7 kg with a maximum firing range of 5.5 km.

The missile features two warhead configurations. The multi‐purpose blast warhead is designed to engage structures, soft‐skinned vehicles, and personnel in open terrain.

The tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead has a secondary impact‐delayed fuze setting allowing an anti‐structure capability. In this mode, the warhead can be set to detonate after penetrating a structure wall with kinetic energy.