The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Surface-to-air PYthon-5 and DERby (SPYDER) ground-based air defence system has achieved full operational capability, the government of Singapore announced on 4 July.
SPYDER is a part of Singapore's enhanced Island Air Defence system, which is an island-wide networked system combining sensors, weapon systems, C2 elements and decision-making tools to strengthen Singapore's air defence.
The all-weather system is equipped with advanced infrared and radar-guided missiles. It can intercept aerial threats with anti-aircraft and anti-munition capabilities and only requires a four-man crew to deploy.
Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Defence, said: ‘The SPYDER is an improvement from the Rapier system as it is able to intercept not just aircraft but also munitions, therefore widening the spectrum of threats that our air defences can tackle.’