Greek and Israeli Naval Forces Test New Missile Systems in Successful Trials

Greek and Israeli naval forces recently conducted successful acceptance firings of new missile systems developed by Rafael. The trials took place on October 21 in the Northern Cretan Sea, featuring the SPIKE NLOS and SPIKE ER guided missiles.

The SPIKE guided missiles were launched from a MACHITIS-class Gunboat and a MARK V Special Operations Craft, confirming their effectiveness and operational value. The collaboration with Israeli Navy vessels enhanced interoperability between the two navies.

Trial Included Torpedo Firing from Submarine

The trials also involved a torpedo firing from a submarine, which successfully sank the decommissioned frigate HS MPOUMPOULINA (F-463). Additionally, Israeli Navy units conducted guided missile firings. The exercise showcased the power of the Israeli-made SPIKE NLOS and SPIKE ER2 guided missile systems.

This event, held in the northern Cretan Sea, involved various Greek naval assets and air platforms, demonstrating operational readiness and strengthening the strategic partnership between Greece and Israel amid a complex security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Rafael-Developed Precision-Guided Weapons

The missile trials featured two types of precision-guided weapons developed by Rafael: the SPIKE Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile and the SPIKE Extended Range (ER2) missile. Both systems were successfully launched from their respective platforms, marking a significant advancement for the Hellenic Navy.

The SPIKE NLOS missile, launched from a Machitis-class patrol vessel, boasts an engagement range of up to 32 kilometers, allowing naval units to strike surface targets effectively. Its electro-optical and infrared guidance capabilities provide operational flexibility for engagements against targets not directly visible to the launching platform.

Decommissioned Frigate Sunk During Guided Missile Trials

The decommissioned Elli-class frigate was struck and sunk during the guided missile trials by an SUT torpedo fired from a Papanikolis-class Type 214HN submarine. This sequence demonstrated the coordinated engagement capabilities of various naval weapon systems against a surface target.

The sinking underscored the importance of live-fire exercises in validating weapons, training crews, and assessing integrated naval capabilities. For the Hellenic Navy, this event showcased its newly installed missile systems under operational conditions and highlighted the coordination between surface combatants and submarine forces.

Source: Interesting Engineering