Denmark integrates Spike LR2 missile into Eagle 5 armoured vehicle

DALO and the Danish army have integrated the Spike LR2 missile into an Eagle 5 4×4 armoured reconnaissance vehicle. (DALO)

The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) announced on its website on 8 January that it and the Royal Danish Army have integrated the Spike LR2 missile into Kongsberg's Protector RS4 stabilised weapon station on the Eagle 5 4×4 armoured reconnaissance vehicle, with the first test firing hitting the centre of the target.

For the test firing on 6 November 2025, the missile was programmed for fragmentation effect. DALO noted that the Spike LR2 is a fifth-generation electro-optically guided anti-tank missile with a range up to 5.5 km when launched from ground platforms, with a selectable explosive warhead, including tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and multi-purpose blast fragmentation warhead with different detonation modes depending on the target and terrain.

The Danish army employs the Spike LR2 remotely via an integrated Command Launch Unit (iCLU) or mounted on the Protector RS4, the service's new stabilised weapon station (STAVS), with a mechanical interface to the missile. DALO said this means Danish reconnaissance and infantry units can configure the same weapon station for missions ranging from fire support with a heavy machine gun to the Spike LR2 long-range anti-tank missile.

According to Senior Sergeant Kim of the Danish Artillery Regiment, STAVS features improvements over early weapon stations such as integrated GPS navigation and geo-referenced target points. “No matter which way the vehicle is facing, targets are in the same place on the map,” he said. Moreover, the stabilised sighting and weapon platform allows accurate fire, even when the vehicle is moving, and the crew can operate the system under armour, DALO added.