The SPYDER Israeli air defense missile system has been effectively tested by the Indian Air Force in Pokhran. This is seen as an attempt to strengthen its readiness to hit enemies against any aerial threats. With assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael Advanced Defence Systems developed a short and medium-range mobile air defense system called SPYDER ( Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) which is a low-level surface-to-air, quick reaction missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. In several aspects SPYDER air defense system is unique, two different missiles can be launched from the same launcher with this system and it has a 360 degrees rotatable launcher.
SPYDER is a highly flexible mechanism of the air defense system and can be deployed only from high mobility vehicles. Medium operation range of SPYDER ( SPYDER MR) is 35km and altitude engagement is 16 km due to boosters and its launcher vehicles carries 8 missiles on the other hand SPYDER SR is a short-range of the SPYDER with a maximum altitude of interception of 9 km and the maximum range of interception of 15 km and the launcher vehicle can carry 4 missiles. In order to defend key assets and locations in the country, the IAF is going to use SPYDER alongside Akash surface-to-air missile, which has a little longer effective range of 25 km.