Almas (missile)

Almas (Persian: الماس, lit. 'diamond') is a family of unlicensed Iranian copies of the Israeli Spike family of surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles used for anti-armor attacks.^[1]

Almas
Type	Surface-to-surface missile Air-to-surface missile
Place of origin	Iran
Service history
In service	2021-present  [citation needed]
Wars	Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–2024)
Specifications
Warhead	Tandem HEAT/thermobaric  [citation needed]
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	4 km (Almas-1)
Guidance system	Imaging infrared homing (IIR) & electro-optical (EO)  [citation needed]

History

Almas 1/2/3 at a defense expo

Iran reportedly was transferred Israeli Spike-MR missiles that were captured during the 2006 Lebanon War by Hezbollah,^[2] which were converted into an unlicensed variant of the missile that was designated the Almas-1.^[1][3] The ground-launched ATGM version was unveiled in public on 7 July 2021.^[3] It was shown overseas at the MILEX 2023 exhibition held in May in Belarus^[4] and at the Partner 2023 exhibition held in September in Serbia.^[5]

On 25 January 2024, a video was released that appeared to show Hezbollah forces using the system against an Israeli surveillance outpost^[6] at Shlomi.^[7] On 27 January 2024, another attack involving the Almas was reported at Rosh HaNikra.^[7]

Variants

Almas-1

Exact copy of the Spike with a range of 4,000 meters and weight of 15 kg.^{[citation needed]}

Almas-2

Has a range of 8,000 meters when fired from the ground with claims of penetrating up to 1,000 mm of armor.^{[citation needed]}

Almas-3

Clone of the Spike ER with its warhead based on a two-stage high-explosive or thermobaric type.^{[citation needed]}

Almas-4

Almas-4, the newer generation of this missile, among other improvements, send clearer images of its flight back to its operators. According to CAT-UXO, a munitions awareness group, this missile can carry two types of warheads. One can detonate in two phases, making it easier to penetrate armor. The other is a fuel-air bomb that explodes into a fireball.^[1]

Operators

• Hezbollah: Known to be using the Almas.^[8] They claim to possess Almas-1/2/3.^[7]
• Iran: Reverse engineered Spike-MR with modifications. Originally captured by Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War and given to Iran.^[9]