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new missile system will be based on the medium-range naval air
defense missile currently under development for the Indian and
Israeli Navies. The naval application of the missile will be
integrated with the MF-STAR
phased array shipborne radar, which Elta claims to be superior
to the SPY-1 AEGIS radar. Overall, the MF-STAR / Barak 8 combination
is claimed to be superior to the leading US made systems such
as AEGIS or Patriot
PAC-3 missile systems.
Image: A view of the Barak 8, developed
for shipborne defense as well as ground based air defense applications.
(Photo: IAI)
Barak 8 missile utilizes a fully active seeker, the missile
is not dependent on the launcher for targeting and guidance,
and can perform at much longer ranges, offering effective protection
from aerial threats, manned, unmanned as well as guided weapons.
Covering both low and high altitudes, the missile is designed
for operation on-board ships as well as for terrestrial applications.
Barak 8 system is designed to engage multiple targets simultaneously
with deadly effectiveness. The missile uses vertical launched
missile is designed to offer 360 degrees protection, utilizing
an advanced active radar seeker. The missile is equipped with
a two-way datalink, supporting mid-course updating and terminal
updating and validation. To extend its datalink and C3 coverage
over a wide area, the system will integrate surface based radars
and communications elements with airborne manned and unmanned
elements, maximizing its operability and range over all types
of terrain.
MR-SAM is expected to streamline with the original Barak 8
schedule, adding about $300 million to the program development
cost. In its decision last week the Indian Government earmarked
a total funding of about Rs10,000 crore (about US$2.5 billion)
for the medium range surface-to-air missiles (MR-SAM) project.
The program will include the deployment of up to nine air defense
squadrons. The MR-SAM development will be conducted under the
bilateral agreement signed between the two countries, which
will guide the scope of collaboration formulating between DRDO
and IAI defined in a memorandum of agreement signed in New Delhi,
June 2007.
The Indian Air Force plans to re-equip nine air defense squadrons
with the new missile, each including two batteries comprising
a multi-mission radar system performing target acquisition and
guidance, command-and-control element and three container-launchers
each mounting eight missiles.
Prime contractor for the program will be the Indian DRDO, with
IAI missile and space group acting as leading subcontractor
with IAI's Elta Systems providing the radar and Israel's RAFAEL
producing the interceptor missiles. According to the bilateral
agreement, the Indians will be able to locally produce and support
the systems.
Barak 8 is expected to be part of a new offensive and defensive
system suite under development at IAI's Missiles and Space division.
This new family of weapons will also comprise the latest generation
Gabriel 5 anti-ship missile,
an integrated combat management system and multi-function EL/M-2248
MF-STAR shipborne phased array radar system.
Photo below: MF-STAR operating scenario
showing multiple engagements of vertically launched Barak/Barak
NG missiles simultaneous with firing offensive weapons (image
by IAI).
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