Barak-2 MR-SAM Successfully Test Fired by Israel

Barak-2 surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM)which is being developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under a Rs2,600 crore deal was successfully test fired by Israel . "The 70-km missile was fired at an electronic target and met with its initial objectives," DRDO chief Dr Vijay Saraswat said.The second test of the Barak-2 missile is scheduled to be held in India later this year. Barak-2 MR-SAM will equip the three Project 15 Guided Missile Destroyers.

DRDO chief Dr Vijay Saraswat has said that DRDO will deliver the missile system to the Indian armed forces in 2013. A second variant of this missile LR-SAM is also being developed for Indian Air Force under a Rs 10,000 crore project signed in 2009. IAF version will replace IAF's ageing Soviet era Pechora surface-to-air missile systems.

In July 2005, during the visit of Indian Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash to Israel, Israel offered India to jointly develop the next generation Barak-II ship defense missiles. India and Israel signed an agreement on 27 Jan 2006 to jointly develop the two missiles over the next 5 years. Both India and Israel hold a 50/50 stake in this venture.

 The Barak-2 MR-SAM will equip Naval Ships while the Barak-2 LR-SAM will be use by the IAF. Barak-2 LR-SAM version will have a longer range of 120 km in comparison to the Barak MR-SAM, which has a range of 70 km. Since 2000, Indian Navy has already confirmed orders for atleast 11 Barak-1 systems, including more than 250 missiles Barak-1 missile systems from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)/Rafael.

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