Stakes are high in U.K. anti-armor missile contest.

A U.K. Ministry of Defence competition for a new anti-armor missile could affect future European purchases of such weapons in the coming years.

The contest pits the U.S.-made Javelin fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon against the shoulder-fired Spike missile, made by Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd., of Israel. Javelin is made by a joint venture of Raytheon Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. It entered service with the U.S. Army in 1996.

The U.K. program could have a "domino effect," said Christopher F. Foss, editor of Jane's Fighting Vehicles. If Spike wins, he said, "you'll find Javelin will not get any sales in Europe."

The Spike is in service in Israel and Singapore. Rafael also has received orders from Finland and the Netherlands. In addition to the U.K. competition, the Spike also is a candidate for future Australian and Canadian programs. A decision by the U.K. MOD is expected by the end of 2002 and the chosen system would enter service in 2005.

For the British contest, Rafael is reamed with European missile conglomerate MBDA. MBDA has been working to challenge Raytheon's lead in the global missile market.

The Spike family has three variants, the Spike MR (medium range--2,500 meters), the Spike LR (long range--4,000 meters) the Spike ER (extended range--8,000 meters). The MR version--formerly known as the Gill--is the one that competes against the Javelin.

The Spike ER was designed to be mounted on combat vehicles or helicopters. It will be marketed as replacement for TOW and the Hellfire antitank missiles, said Retired Israeli Defense Forces Col. Joseph Horowitz, who is sales director at Rafael. The Spike ER is in service with the IDF and other unidentified European customers, Horowitz said.

A U.S. industry official dismissed the notion that Spike ER could pose a serious challenge to TOW or Hellfire. Rafael claims that Spike ER is in service, but often the IDF is seen firing TOWs, the source said. Rafael is still "working out the kinks," he said. "Rafael is trying to get customers to use Spike ER as it completes development."