Aspide

Aspide was developed in Italy by Selenia and later supported through MBDA-linked systems as a medium-range missile for air-to-air and surface-to-air roles. It grew from Italian experience with Sparrow-class missiles but became a distinct national weapon integrated into land and naval air-defence systems. The later Aspide 2000 kept the missile relevant in systems such as SPADA 2000.

Aspide uses radar guidance and can be launched from ground systems such as Skyguard-Aspide and SPADA 2000, as well as naval Albatros installations. The missile is intended to defeat low-altitude aircraft and other aerial threats within a defended zone. Its value comes from pairing missile performance with radar, fire-control, and launcher networks rather than operating as a stand-alone round.

Aspide-equipped systems served in Italy, Spain, and several export inventories. Ukraine's later receipt of Aspide-related systems also renewed attention to the missile as older European stocks gained wartime relevance. Its long service life shows how legacy air-defence missiles can remain valuable when paired with working radars and logistics.