Indian Navy is set to test fire the long-range surface-to-air Barak 8 missile, jointly developed by India and Israel. The missile system aims to enhance the Navy’s capabilities against incoming missiles, planes and drones.
If the test is successful, it will pave the way for final installation of Barak 8 missile on board Indian warships.
We take a look at the salient features of the missile system
The missile had undergone a successful test in Israel last November. Barak 8 is an upgraded version of the Barak system both countries already use.
Barak 8 is considered to be a major asset for Indian Navy because it adds a potent system designed to destroy any anti-ship missile launched by Pakistani or Chinese navy. According to Israel Aerospace Industries, Barak 8 provides protection against a variety of aerial platforms and munitions including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and sea-skimming missiles.
It is based on a sophisticated missile (developed in collaboration with Rafael), state-of-the-art phased array multi mission radar, two-way data link, and flexible command and control system.
The system has a multi-mission radar, supporting air defense missions. Israel Aerospace Industries further says that the Barak 8 can operate day and night, in all weather conditions, and successfully deals with simultaneous threats engagements, even in severe saturation scenarios.
‘The system has a very short reaction time and a fast missile vertical launch capability with 360 degree coverage,’ claims Israel Aerospace Industries.
‘The missile deals with short, medium, and long range threats, where its interconnectivity among the various ships in the naval task force enables it to be a multi-layer air and missile defense System of Systems,’ it adds.Key to Barak 8’s ability to intercept incoming missiles is Israel-made MF-STAR radar system which is capable of simultaneously tracking hundreds of airborne targets to a range of more than 250 kilometers.
The missile is being jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, India’s DRDO, Israel’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Elta Systems, Rafael and other companies.
The state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will series-produce the 70 km-range Barak-8, with 32 missiles to be initially fitted onto INS Kolkata. 'The test will be held during the coming monsoon so that actual operating challenge is created,' defence sources have said adding that it would be held on INS Kolkata.
The launchers and radars to track the missile are already in place.
The test will be conducted against an incoming missile by the Navy. In this video provided by Israel Aerospace Industries, watch the test launch of Barak 8 missile system.
