Unlocking the Potential of LR-SAM, MR-SAM, and BARAK-8 Missile Systems

Unlocking the Potential of LR-SAM, MR-SAM, and BARAK-8 Missile Systems

The Barak 8 is an advanced surface-to-air missile system developed through a collaborative effort between Israel's Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). This partnership, known as LRSAM / MRSAM / BARAK-8, was created with the purpose of safeguarding against a wide range of airborne threats, such as aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, UAVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and combat jets. It fulfils the requirement for both maritime and land-based versions of the missile system, delivering defence capabilities through innovation and the continuous enhancement of proven technology to effectively counter and neutralize incoming threats within the Earth's atmosphere.

At its core, the Barak 8 features a highly versatile missile with a long operational range and a two-way data link for precise guidance. Its advanced active radar seeker ensures accuracy and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously. The system is available in both naval and land-based configurations, making it suitable for a variety of defence scenarios.

At present, the Barak 8 missile defence system is manufactured by Israel's Directorate of Research and Development (DDR&D), along with the contributions of Elta Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and India's Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and India's Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) joined forces to develop the Barak 8 missile systems. This missile radar system offers comprehensive 360-degree coverage, with the capability to intercept incoming missiles even when they are as close as 500 meters to the target, whether on a ship or on land.

IAI has extended its air defence portfolio beyond the Barak-8 with the development and current production of the Barak MX system. This innovative system transforms Barak into a multi-layered air defence solution, featuring smart launchers capable of carrying Short, Medium, and Extended-Range interceptors. The Smart Launcher offers versatile deployment options suitable for both maritime and land-based applications. It's worth noting that, unlike the Barak-8 system, IAI took sole responsibility for developing the interceptors and sensors to meet the requirements of both domestic and international customers.

India has procured Barak 8 missiles valued at $5 billion, deploying them across its Air Force, Navy, and Army. Presently, the missile system is in active service aboard the Indian Navy's Kolkata-class destroyers, Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant, and Nilgiri-class frigates.

Barak-8 / LR-SAM (Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) System

The Barak 8 missile system boasts exceptional levels of agility within its target interception range, thanks to its dual pulse rocket motor and thrust vector control capabilities. In the terminal phase, a second motor is engaged, activating the active radar seeker to precisely lock onto the enemy target. This comprehensive system is designed to counter a diverse array of airborne threats, encompassing anti-ship missiles, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and supersonic missiles, making Barak 8 an effective neutralizer of such threats.

When employed alongside a modern air defence system and multi-function surveillance, tracking, and guidance radars like the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA found on Kolkata-class destroyers, Barak 8 offers the capability to effectively engage multiple targets simultaneously, even in scenarios involving saturation attacks.

A sophisticated long-range missile defence and air defence system, Barak 8 is characterized by Israel Aerospace Industries with the following key attributes:

Vertical launch Air defence missile-based weapon system to neutralize aerial targets up to a range of 70 km to 100 km max

The system is operational with three Indian armed forces ( Navy, Air Force & Army )

• Propulsion– Dual pulse solid propellant rocket motor with smokeless propulsion
• Guidance– Midcourse INS with course correction with radar data and terminal active seeker
• Warhead– Pre-fragmented high energy ( weighing 60 kg )
• Targets– Aircraft, subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles and helicopters
• Single shoot-kill probability: 0.8 with 360-degree coverage

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