Latvia’s Ministry of Defense announced an ambitious $87 million deal with German company EuroSpike to purchase additional Spike anti-tank systems, ammunition, and support gear. Thirty percent of the contract will be fulfilled by domestic industry partners.

The Spike missile system is like a battlefield chameleon—a family of precision-guided, multi-platform anti-tank weapons developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and manufactured in Europe by the EuroSpike joint venture. These missiles use a sophisticated dual electro-optical and infrared seeker, enabling them to strike targets day or night, in all weather conditions.

For example, if a small target is hidden behind dense forest, Spike can still hit it—offering both “fire-and-forget” and “fire-and-update” capabilities via a secure, jam-resistant fiber-optic data link.

This means the operator can monitor the missile’s flight path in real time and, if necessary, redirect or abort it, reducing collateral damage and increasing accuracy in complex conditions.

Latvia’s procurement is likely to include the Spike LR2 (Long Range) variant, which has a range of up to 5.5 kilometers from a ground platform and up to 10 kilometers from an elevated platform such as a helicopter, according to Army Recognition.

The missile is equipped with a tandem-charge HEAT warhead capable of penetrating both explosive reactive armor (ERA) and heavy composite armor. The system delivers high-precision strikes against both stationary and moving targets, even in battlefield smoke screens or the clutter of urban environments.

The Spike LR2 shown in the image is most likely the version of the anti-tank missile that Latvia will acquire. The LR2 has a range of up to 5.5 km. One-third of the contract value must go to local Latvian manufacturers.

This new procurement significantly strengthens Latvia’s ground-based anti-tank capabilities. It’s not the first time Latvia has acquired Spike systems—the initial contract with EuroSpike was signed back in 2018. Now, parts of the system will also begin to be produced in Latvia, according to Defense Industry.

What makes the current deal particularly noteworthy is a clause stating that 30 percent of the contract value will be fulfilled by domestic industrial partners, according to Defense Post. This aligns with Latvia’s Defense Industry and Innovation Support Strategy for 2025–2036.

The Spike systems provide Latvia with a deterrent against armored threats and a solution for potential hybrid warfare scenarios. The systems will be integrated into both professional and reserve units, reinforcing Latvia’s multi-layered defense structure.

Deliveries of the anti-tank missiles will begin in 2028 and gradually increase over time.