Seconds later, a guided missile punched through the air and struck with unnerving precision, capping a real-world test that signals how seriously Denmark is reshaping its ground forces for high-intensity war in Europe.
Denmark’s bold shot: a small vehicle with big implications
Denmark has carried out a successful live firing of the Israeli-made Spike LR2 anti-tank missile from its Eagle V 4×4 armoured vehicle at the Oksbøl training area. The test was not a simple demonstration. It was a full validation that the missile, the vehicle and the digital fire-control chain all work together under field conditions.
The Spike LR2 hit the centre of the target at range, using a pre-set fragmentation mode designed to maximise effects on impact. Danish officers now see the combination as a credible answer to heavily armoured vehicles, fortified positions and moving targets on a fluid battlefield.
This pairing of a long-range precision missile with a fast, protected 4×4 turns a scout vehicle into a hunter that can shape the fight.
For a relatively small army, that shift is strategic. It means Danish units can threaten enemy armour and command posts without deploying heavy tanks forward or calling in scarce air support.
A fully digital kill chain on wheels
The trial also proved that Denmark’s digital “sensor-to-shooter” architecture is operational, not just a lab project. The Spike LR2 was aimed, guided and fired entirely from the remote weapon station on the Eagle V, with no external targeting pod or separate fire-control system.
Inside the vehicle, the gunner used stabilised optics and a digital interface to detect, identify and engage the target while on a mobile, protected platform. The crew stayed under armour from first contact to impact, a key point for survivability against drones, artillery and loitering munitions.
This integration work took several years and involved synchronising sensors, navigation data and weapon controls into one coherent system. The test suggests the Danish Army can now roll out the same configuration across its Eagle V fleet with limited modification.
A 100% in-vehicle, digital firing chain reduces reaction time and cuts the number of soldiers exposed on the frontline.
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Training, rollout and a shift in Danish doctrine
With the firing test done, the programme is moving into a ramp-up phase. Denmark plans to receive remaining weapon stations and integration kits, then train crews to operate the new configuration in realistic scenarios, from defensive ambushes to combined-arms manoeuvre.
One central benefit is flexibility of use. The Spike LR2 can be fired both from the Eagle V and from a portable launcher on the ground. Crews can dismount with the same missile type, maintain the same logistics chain, and still reach high-value targets if the vehicle cannot move forward safely.
- Vehicle-mounted fire for rapid, protected engagement.
- Dismounted fire for stealth and dispersed operations.
- Single missile family for simpler supply and training.
For NATO planners, this mix of mobility and precision sits well with a broader push to make land forces harder to target, more networked and less dependent on heavy platforms that are slow to deploy and easy to track.
Spike LR2: an Israeli missile tuned for European wars
A 5.5 km reach and a “second chance” in flight
The Spike LR2, designed by Rafael in Israel, reaches targets out to around 5.5 km—long enough to strike enemy armour before it threatens front-line positions in many European terrains. It comes with two different warheads: a tandem HEAT charge able to punch through modern reactive armour, and a multi-purpose fragmentation warhead for infantry, light vehicles or structures.
One of its standout features is the “fire, observe, update” function. Instead of being locked in, the missile can be redirected in flight. If the original target moves out of view or a more dangerous one appears, the operator can switch focus mid-course using the live video feed from the missile’s seeker.
Being able to change target after launch makes every shot a flexible tool, not a rigid commitment.
This matters in the kind of chaotic engagements seen in Ukraine, where drones spot new threats constantly and units have to adapt within seconds, not minutes.
Same missile, different roles
Denmark’s configuration keeps logistics tidy. The Spike LR2 fired from the Eagle V is the same missile fired from a man-portable launcher. That means a single training path for gunners, one supply chain for missiles, and easier sharing of stocks between units.
In practice, a Danish patrol can strike from the vehicle, then leave the road and continue the mission with the same kind of missile on their shoulders. This continuity supports dispersed tactics, where small teams fan out and still retain heavy punch against armour.
The RS4 station: a “combat turret” without the turret
At the heart of the system sits the RS4 remote weapon station, produced by Norwegian group Kongsberg. This two-axis stabilised mount can carry heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers and anti-tank missiles.
The station includes day and night cameras, a laser rangefinder and geo-referenced mapping. All of this is controlled from inside the Eagle V. The system lets the crew spot, range and engage targets while the vehicle moves over rough terrain, keeping aim steady thanks to stabilisation.
This kind of remote station is becoming standard on modern vehicles because it reduces the need for open hatches. It also turns a single platform into a multi-role asset: it can suppress infantry with a machine gun, then switch to a missile against a tank, all from the same mount.
Eagle V: a nimble armoured carrier with serious reach
The Eagle V, built by GDELS-Mowag, is a compact yet robust 4×4. The vehicle weighs around 7 tonnes empty and up to 10 tonnes fully loaded. It can carry five soldiers, including driver and commander, and has been designed for patrol, reconnaissance and command roles rather than heavy direct combat.
Powered by a 6.7-litre turbo diesel engine, the Eagle V can hit speeds of up to 110 km/h on roads and offers an operational range of about 650 km on a full tank. Armour protects against small arms fire, mines and improvised explosive devices, reflecting lessons learned over two decades of asymmetric warfare.
Key technical data: Eagle V + Spike LR2
| Feature | Specification |
| Missile range | 5.5 km |
| Top speed (Eagle V) | 110 km/h |
| Operational range | 650 km |
| Empty weight | 7,000 kg |
| Crew capacity | 5 personnel |
| Compatible weapons | 12.7 mm MG, grenade launcher, anti-tank missiles |
In Danish service, the Eagle V is now shifting from simple troop carrier to a networked combat platform that can scout, strike and coordinate with other units thanks to its sensors and communication systems.
Why this matters for European defence
Denmark’s move sits within a wider trend in Europe: turning lighter vehicles into credible tank-killers and battlefield managers. As budgets face pressure and threats grow, many armies want more “teeth” on relatively cheap and mobile platforms rather than relying only on a small fleet of heavy tanks.
Systems like Eagle V + Spike LR2 also complicate the life of a potential adversary. A column of armoured vehicles now has to assume that almost any 4×4 on the horizon might hide a long-range missile. That forces more caution, more dispersion and slower movement for attackers.
NATO forces on the eastern flank, from the Baltics to Poland, watch such tests closely. A proven, integrated system is easier to copy, buy or adapt than a concept still on PowerPoint slides.
Key terms and real-world scenarios
Several technical terms shape how this system is used on the battlefield:
- Fire-and-forget: a missile that no longer needs guidance once launched.
- Fire, observe, update: a mode where the operator can steer or retarget the missile mid-flight.
- Reactive armour: explosive tiles on a tank that detonate to disrupt incoming warheads; tandem HEAT warheads are designed to defeat this defence.
- Remote weapon station: a weapon mount controlled from inside the vehicle, keeping crew under armour.
On a real frontline, a Danish Eagle V might sit behind a tree line, using its sensors to watch a road several kilometres away. A drone spots a Russian-style infantry fighting vehicle edging forward. The coordinates are shared digitally. The Eagle V’s gunner slews the RS4 onto the target, confirms through the thermal sight and fires a Spike LR2. If the enemy vehicle brakes and reverses, the gunner can still adjust the missile’s path in the final seconds.
Another scenario could see the Eagle V dropping off a small team carrying portable Spike launchers. The vehicle withdraws to safety while the team climbs a ridge and sets up an ambush position. They share the same missile type, the same training and similar optics, making coordination smoother.
Benefits, risks and what comes next
This approach brings clear advantages: greater standoff distance against tanks, reduced exposure for crews, and a smaller logistic footprint thanks to shared missiles and digital systems. Units can react faster, operate dispersed and still hit hard.
There are risks too. Heavier reliance on advanced electronics and networking raises vulnerability to jamming and cyber attacks. Missiles like the Spike LR2 are expensive, so commanders must choose targets carefully to avoid wasting shots on low-value threats. Armies also need sustained training so crews understand when to fire from the vehicle and when to dismount.
As Denmark refines tactics around this new combination, other European countries are likely to watch how it performs in multinational exercises. The Oksbøl test was only one missile fired on one range, but the message is clear: small armoured vehicles, when paired with clever missiles and digital fire-control, can punch far above their weight on the modern battlefield.