Barak-2 LR-SAM maiden flight later this year
01 Feb 2010 8ak: Shiv Aroor reports that the maiden flight of India-Israel jointly developed Barak-2 long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) is scheduled to take place in August this year. For full news. The Barak-2 LR-SAM is being developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under a Rs2,600 crore contract.
The Barak-2 version will have a longer range between 120-350Km in comparison to the Barak MR-SAM, which has a range of 60 km vertically. The new LR-SAM is being developed to replace the aging Pechora (SA-3 GOA) missiles currently in service with the Indian Air Force.
Military cooperation between the two nations post Kargil war has been on a high. The Indian Government has earmarked a total funding of about Rs10,000 crore (about US$2.2 billion) for the medium range surface-to-air missiles (MR-SAM) project. The program will include the deployment of up to nine air defence 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.
India has also signed a US$1.1 billion deal for buying the state- manufactured state-of-the-art Barak 8 missile system. New Delhi is expected to receive the upgraded Barak missile system costing US$20-25 million if experts in India are to be believed, over the next six to eight years. The Barak-8 missile system is designed for use aboard ships and can shoot down incoming missiles, planes and drones, with the most advanced version capable of being deployed on land.
Other defence deals between the two nations include IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and IAI Heron unmanned aerial vehicles for the Indian Air Force. The US$1.1 billion deal for delivery of three Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), fitted on Russian-built Ilyushin II-76 aircraft. The first of the AWACS were inducted in the Indian Air Force in May last year. Upgrade of 32 Mi-24 helicopters by IAI and the 2008 contract for Rafael’s low-level quick reaction missile system (LLQRM.
One of the most important reasons for this substantial increase has been the common problem of terrorism being faced by both the nations. There have also been several high level visits by serving armed forces chief’s of the two nations. Israel’s Navy chief Vice Admiral Elizer Marom visited India to hold high level talks with his Indian counterpart and MoD officials.
Barack 2 version doesn't have longer range upto 350 km .
Posted by: NJS | 01 February 2010 at 05:12 PM
It has been proposed, primarily due to difficulties in exporting the BrahMos because Russia is demanding very high royalty on it in order to protect its own interest. The modalities are being discussed.
Posted by: Akshay | 01 February 2010 at 10:22 PM
If it's being made by Indians then it will be shit
Posted by: mike rotch | 07 February 2010 at 02:43 AM