Barak-NG / Barak 8

The Israeli consortium already has a program in collaboration with DRDO under way for developing a ship-borne next generation Barak (called Barak NG) for the Indian Navy. The cooperation began in 2001 with a $270 million deal for the basic Barak ship defense system. Mutual satisfaction with system performance and Israeli willingness to engage in technology transfers led in January 2006 to the 70-kilometer-range Barak NG program.

Naval Barak-8 is an advanced, long-range missile defense and air defense system. Barak-8 meets and exceeds performance of other similar defense systems, while maintaining unique advantages. It has a flexible dual pulse motor system provides high maneuver capability at target interception range throughout Barak-8's wide envelope. Low weight and small size (about half of similar systems) provides small impact on carrying ship, along with low signatures (carry, launch & flight) for high ship survivability. Barak-8 has safe ship carry & launch with a small missile and proven vertical launcher concept. The robust multi-missile coexistence and multi-target capability (supported by seeker, DL & WCS) enables operation in highly saturated operational scenarios, with a high performance warhead with a robust kill mechanism.

A robust area air defence Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system remains an essential asset of any ‘blue water’ navy and to obtain suc7h a system, in February 2006 Israel and India signed a joint development agreement to create the new Barak-NG (now referred to as Barak-8) medium shipborne Surface-toAir Missile (SAM). This is an evolution of the eight-cell vertically launched 10-km ranged Barak-1 system in service with both navies. Prime contractor for the program is India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), with Indian firms contributing the solid fuel smokeless dual-pulse rocket motors, associated safe and arm for rocket motor, and the pneumatic actuation system.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) missile & space group act as leading subcontractor with IAI Elta Systems providing the multi-function phased array radar and Rafael Advanced Defence System producing the critical components (including the seeker) of interceptor missiles. For the Indian Navy (IN) the layered defence capability to be provided by long range Barak-8 along with other point defence SAM and Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) represents a key asset especially in relation to proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles in Asian continent.

The layered SAM/CIWS network along with shipborne fighters from aircraft carriers will enable the IN to operate in high-threat areas outside land based air cover by establishing local air superiority. Bearing in mind that hostile submarines are likely to make an attack with sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, even Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) screening becomes analogous to air defence. The Indian Navy is already using the ordinary Barak missile, which was manufactured by Rafael and the IAI, but whose abilities to counter advanced threats are limited. The new missile is launched vertically and has an independent radar system.

Developed by IAI MBT Systems and Space Technology in association with Elta and Rafael, Israel's Armament Development Authority, the extended-range Barak-8 active radar homing missile offers a maximum range of 70 km to 80 km. According to the Israel Navy, Barak-8 will be compatible with the Lockheed Martin Mk 41 tactical-length vertical launcher system. After launch, the missile will initially receive mid-course guidance updates from the MF-STAR radar. During the terminal phase, the missile fires a second motor and activate its active radar seeker to home on to the target.

The 4.5-metre long 275-kg Barak-8 missile provides effective protection from all form of aerial threats, including manned, unmanned as well as Precision Guided Weapons (PGM) up to 60 to 70-km (probably a "very conservative" figure) and a ceiling of 16-km, thanks to a dual-pulse solid rocket motor. Although adopting an aerodynamic configuration essentially similar to the earlier Barak-1, the extended range Barak-8 active radar homing missile will be approximately 4.5 m in length (twice the size of Barak-1) and will have a maximum range of 70-80 km. Barak-1 is capable of intercepting incoming missiles at close range. With Barak-8, IAI wanted to be able to take out surveillance aircraft or the launch platform before it has released its weapons.

IAI and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation concluded a deal to jointly develop Barak-8 in New Delhi on 27 January 2006, after almost two years of negotiations. The joint development program is valued at about USD330 million, to be split equally between the two countries. Reports from Delhi suggested that Barak-8 and the EL/M-2248 radar will be fitted to the Indian Navy's new Project 15A destroyers.