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NASAMS vs SPYDER: how to tell them apart

Two air defence systems that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

NASAMS, air defence system from Norway

NASAMS

Air defence system, Norway. In service since 1994

What gives it away

Compact launcher with six slim missile canisters in two rows of three, on a trailer or truck.

Used by

Norway, USA, Finland, Netherlands, Lithuania, Ukraine, Spain and others

Photo: MKFI, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

SPYDER

Air defence system, Israel. In service since 2005

What gives it away

Truck with four air-to-air missiles (Python-5 and Derby) in boxes on a tilting, rotating launcher; the longer-range versions stand them upright.

Used by

India, Singapore, Czech Republic, Philippines, Vietnam and others

Where they differ

DetailNASAMSSPYDER
Missiles6 missiles4 missiles

What they share

These won’t tell them apart.

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NASAMS · SPYDER · All guides

NASAMS vs SPYDER: how to tell them apart · Spotrep