The Indian Air Force has awarded the Israeli company, Rafael, a $260-million contract for 18 Spyder Low Level Quick Reaction Missiles (LLQRM).

Rafael was shortlisted to supply the missiles against France's MBDA early last year. However, the contract was delayed, mainly due to opposition from India's leftist parties, Indian Defence Ministry sources said. The deliveries of the Spyder missiles will begin in two and one-half years and be completed within four years.

The Israeli-developed Spyder system is based on Rafael's Python 5 passive infrared and the Derby active radar-guided air-to-air missiles with an effective range of 15 kilometers. The system, which employs an Elta search radar, was designed as a quick-reaction surface-to-air missile defense system against aircraft, UAVs, and precision-guided missiles.

The request for proposals was sent in mid-2005 to France, Israel, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. India began looking to foreign firms after the Trishul LLQRM system developed by its state-owned defense research and development organization was rejected by their Army, Navy, and Air Force.

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