Spanish technology company Indra has signed an agreement with Thales Spain to integrate the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) into the Shipborne Launcher System (SILAEM), a naval point-defence system currently under development for the Spanish Navy.
SILAEM Naval Point-Defence System
SILAEM is designed to become Spain’s first domestically developed naval point-defence system specifically intended to counter very-short-range aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and anti-ship missiles. The system will combine the laser-guided LMM with Indra’s X-band fire-control radars, supporting sensors, and command-and-control capabilities.
Valued at €51 million (approximately $58 million), the SILAEM programme will feature two configurations: a standalone system and a version integrated with SCOMBA, Spain’s indigenous naval combat management system. Its open architecture will support interoperability with equipment from multiple manufacturers, enabling NATO and allied navies to integrate the capability into their vessels and incorporate additional sensors and technologies as operational requirements evolve.
Lightweight Multirole Missile: Key Capabilities
The Lightweight Multirole Missile is a short-range precision-guided weapon developed for air, land, and maritime operations. Weighing approximately 13 kg, it has an operational range exceeding 6 km and a maximum speed of more than Mach 1.5, equivalent to approximately 1,850 km/h.
Its laser-guidance technology enables precise target engagement while helping minimise collateral damage. The missile can be deployed through shoulder-fired and tripod-mounted launchers, vehicle-mounted systems, and integrated platforms such as Thales’ RapidRanger.
The LMM is designed to engage a diverse range of targets, including drones, helicopters, light armoured vehicles, and small boats. In naval applications, it will provide an additional capability to counter aerial and surface threats using shipborne launch systems or helicopter-based platforms.
