German-Israeli Team Successfully Fires Spike Missile From Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Diehl Defence, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and EuroSpike GmbH completed what they describe as the world’s first successful live-fire Spike missile launch from a UGV
Image: Diehl Defence
German company Diehl Defence announced on May 13, 2026, a significant milestone in the field of unmanned ground combat systems: in cooperation with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and EuroSpike GmbH, successful live-fire launch trials of a Spike LR anti-tank missile were conducted for the first time from the Ziesel unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).
According to Diehl Defence, this marks the first UGV in the world to successfully launch a modern guided missile under live-fire conditions.
The launch trials were conducted over five days, during which 17 missiles were successfully fired. The purpose of the tests was to validate the platform’s ability to withstand the structural stresses associated with live-fire launches. According to Diehl Defence, the platform demonstrated reliable performance and successfully endured operational loads. The milestone was achieved only three months after the armed Ziesel was first unveiled to the public at the Enforce Tac 2026 exhibition in Nuremberg.
The Ziesel is based on an electric platform developed by Austrian manufacturer Mattro. The vehicle is approximately 1.6 meters long, 1.3 meters wide, weighs 380 kilograms, and has a payload capacity exceeding 500 kilograms. It is electrically powered by replaceable lithium-ion batteries, operates quietly, and can reach speeds of around 20 km/h. The vehicle is integrated with Diehl Defence’s PLATON autonomy kit, enabling fully unmanned operation.
In follow-mode operation, the vehicle functions without active sensors such as LiDAR and GPS, which could otherwise be exposed to enemy electronic detection.
The Spike LR missile, developed by Rafael, is one of the most widely used anti-tank missiles among Western militaries. Equipped with all-weather electro-optical sensors, the missile enables highly precise strikes against armored targets. Its integration on the Ziesel allows firepower to be pushed forward into dangerous areas while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. According to Hartpunkt, the current configuration includes a dual-launch system, while testing of a quad-launch configuration is underway.
The Ziesel is currently being evaluated by several militaries, including those of Germany and Ukraine. Following the launch trials, the three companies announced plans to accelerate development of the system and conduct demonstrations for representatives of additional armed forces.
The UGV has already demonstrated capabilities in logistics, casualty evacuation, and autonomous field operations, and now adds direct combat capability as well – a step that further accelerates the broader shift toward unmanned battlefields.