Barak-8 missile on the way to full operability

iHLS – by Arie Egozi

The Barak-8 is one of the most advanced air defense systems in the world today. A source in the program told i-HLS the system approaches full operational status.

The joint Israeli-Indian project began in 2006. India needed a defense system for its navy ships and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) offered the Barak-8. The project is led by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMoD) with IAI as the prime contractor and another Israeli company, Rafael, as a subcontractor.  

According to Boaz Levy, IAI VP and General Manager of the Systems, Missiles & Space Group, a recent test has validated all components of the weapon system to the satisfaction of the customer representatives. Israeli specialists and Indian scientists, including representatives from both the IMoD’s and Israel’s Director of Defense Research & Develpment (DDR&D), participated in the test, along with both countries’ armed forces officers.

Barak-8 is an advanced Air and Missile Defense System. It serves both as a Point Defense and Long-Range anti-missile and air-defense, offering a unique high performance defensive capability thanks to its modular design and its secure net-centric architecture.

Boaz Levy said that the Barak-8 provides the ultimate 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’s radar is manufactured by ELTA Systems Ltd., an IAI group subsidiary. It is a multi-mission radar, supporting air defense missions. This radar system delivers an accurate, high quality, real-time situation picture, and extracts low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets even in the toughest environmental conditions. It is a digital Active Electronic Steering Array (AESA) Radar System, which incorporates new and advanced technologies.

Barak-8 can operate day and night, in all weather conditions. It 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. The system optimizes the coordination between the missile and batteries by using an advanced broadband communication network. 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.

Arie Egozi

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