India testfires long range Barak 8 missile

The Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden firing of its newly developed Long Range Barak 8 Surface-to-Air Missile (LR SAM), on Wednesday, enhancing its anti-air warfare capability.

The firing was undertaken aboard Indian Navy’s Kolkata class destroyer, which will escort the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia.

The Indo-Israeli jointly built missile successfully intercepted an aerial target at extended ranges, said the Defence Ministry in a statement, describing the new technology as a “quantum jump in air defence capability of the Indian Navy”.

The Barak-8 missile is being developed in joint collaboration by India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile.

The firing trial was jointly carried out by the Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries. The missile is part of a 2006 agreement valued at $350 million.

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory, (DRDL), Hyderabad, a DRDO Lab, has jointly developed the missile in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries. The LR SAM has been manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited, India.

The Barak 8 missile system is designed to defend against hostile aircraft, missiles and rockets, protect naval ships and offshore gas rigs. Barak 8 radar can detect threats at over 100 km.

These missiles would also be fitted on all future major warships of the Indian Navy.

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