Rafael Simulator for Spyder SAM System

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) can now simulate an array of aerial target engagement scenarios, after formally inaugurating its first training and simulator centre for future operators of the Israeli-made Spyder self-propelled air defence system.

The service held an ‘acceptance, turn-over, and blessing ceremony’ on 26 April for the ‘Spyder Philippines Air Defense System (SPADS) Simulator – Training Center’ provided by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The event, attended by Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, took place at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca.

The simulator will serve as a training ground for future PAF missile operators, to prepare them “for real-world challenges as well as to increase personnel knowledge, skills and develop the right attitude for air and missile defence,” said the force, adding that the centre aims to develop three different capabilities: detection through radar, command and control, and missile firing.

The facility is part of the PAF’s ‘Ground Based Air Defense System Acquisition Project’, which calls for the procurement of three batteries of land-based, medium-range SAM systems to protect critical facilities and infrastructure.

The PAF is meeting the requirement by procuring the Spyder system, which can deploy the Python-5 dual waveband IIR missile, the I-Derby active radar BVR, and the I-Derby ER long-range missile. All variants of the Spyder have a multiple target engagement capability for dealing with saturation attacks.